The programme is designed to equip participants with a deeper understanding of the Court’s rules of procedure, litigation practices, and case management techniques.

It also seeks to improve their advocacy skills by offering practical insights on how to effectively pres­ent cases before the regional court.

Speaking at the opening yester­day, Solicitor General of Ghana, Mrs Helen Akpene Awo Ziwu, emphasized the importance of the training in addressing recurring challenges faced by State Attorneys.

She explained that the training represented a crucial step toward strengthening Ghana’s legal repre­sentation at the regional level.

She noted that delays in filing legal processes had in the past led to applications for judgment in default being granted against the State.

The training, according to her aims to instil a greater appreciation for timelines and procedures at the ECOWAS Court, enhancing overall legal efficiency and compliance.

Mrs Ziwu explained that the programme was initiated follow­ing concerns raised in Decem­ber regarding procedural lapses, “After engaging with the ECOWAS Court, arrangements were made to bring in facilitators to conduct the training”.

Head of the Legal Services and Research Division, ECOWAS, Apraku Nketiah, said building the capacity of its attorneys, Ghana reinforces its commitment to human rights, the rule of law, and the effective implementation of ECOWAS legal standards.

He stated that while State At­torneys were already well-trained in Ghanaian law, ECOWAS Court practice required specialized knowl­edge.

According to him, the court handled disputes between member states and also heard human rights complaints brought by individuals across the region.

“When such cases involve Ghana, it is the responsibility of State Attorneys to defend the government, making it critical that they are well-versed in ECOWAS procedures,” he said.

Mr Nketiah highlighted the unique legal environment of the ECOWAS Court, pointing out that even highly skilled lawyers might find their effectiveness diminished if unfamiliar with the Court’s spe­cific rules.

He also acknowledged the challenges related to enforcement of court decisions, stating that the enforcement rate stands at about 30 per cent.

He noted that this issue was not unique to ECOWAS but common among regional human rights courts worldwide.

He emphasized the need for attorneys to act as advocates within government to improve enforce­ment outcomes.

The training program has been specially designed for Chief State Attorneys, Principal State Attor­neys, and other legal officers within the Civil Division of the Attor­ney-General’s Department.

Participants are expected to emerge with a firm grasp of ECOWAS Court procedures, stron­ger advocacy skills, and the capacity to develop effective legal strategies that align with regional standards.

The facilitators were legal experts from the ECOWAS Court with extensive experience in its procedural and litigation frame­work.