Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) have been trained to advocate effectively to ensure the ratification of the African Union Free Movement Protocol (AUFMP) by 2027.
The AUFMP was adopted in 2018 and aimed at promoting continental integration, labour mobility, and socio-economic development by facilitating the free movement of persons within Africa.

Since its adoption, only four countries ratified the treaty, though it seeks to benefit the continent and the people, its implementation is dependent on fifteen member states ratifying the Protocol.

The countries that ratified the protocol includes Mali, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe.
To achieve that target, the Coalition of Civil Societies on Migration, Ghana (CCMG) in collaboration with GIZ MEG, have organised a two-day hybrid capacity training on how to develop advocacy plan for the ratification of the protocol in the eleven amenable countries.

The workshop ran concurrently with online and in-house participants from Ghana, Nigeria, Kenya, Sierra Leone, the Gambia, South Africa, among others.
Mr Eric Peasah, the Convener of CCMG, said the workshop sought to strengthen the capacity of CCMG leaders on advocacy for the free movement protocol as well as help them lobby the governments of 11 amenable member states of the AU to ratify the treaty by July 2027.

He said the workshop was intended to enhance their knowledge and understanding of AUFMP, its benefits, and current ratification status across the continent.
"Building this capacity is critical to ensure that civil society actors are equipped to lead informed, coordinated, and impactful campaigns," he explained.
Emphasising on the importance of the protocol, Mr Peasah said it was not just a policy, but a blueprint for Africa integration.
"When ratified and implemented, the AUFMP will fulfill the vision of African Continental Free Trade Area. However, the path forward requires our commitment," he added.

He, therefore, urged participants to adopt a bottom-up approach in planning their advocacies to achieve the common goal.
Participants also stressed the need to include all stakeholders to ensure that everybody is covered in the campaign.