Ghana in Search of Regional Integration Agenda 127 approach was for the ECOWAS leaders to adopt a two-track approach to regional integration. Conceptually, the initiative posited that if two or more member states were ready to implement a particular ECOWAS programme, they should be allowed to proceed with the implementation of the programme. These member states implementing the said programme would then constitute a fast track group to which the'slower track countries' could join later. The idea was formally endorsed by the ECOWAS Heads of States and Governments in Bamako, Mali in January 2000. The aim of the fast track initiative was to establish a Second Monetary Zone(SMZ) by 2003 and a Free Trade Area from the year 2000.The Chief Executives of UEMOA and ECOWAS were tasked to find strategies for merging the fast track countries and UEMOA. The two countries that initiated the fast track approach have shown ample proof of their commitment to the process and the leaders then, had consistently advocated for an accelerated integration process. Ghana was among the first ECOWAS countries to liberalise trade in industrial products in 1996. Apart from Ghana, only a few states are applying the reduced tariff as the cardinal principle of reciprocity – crucial for the successful implementation of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme(ETLS). Ghana's two­year chairmanship of ECOWAS in 1995 – 1996 and again in 2002-2005 demonstrated the country's commitment to integration of West Africa. Ghana has persevered in the implementation of additional initiatives. The ECOWAS traveller's cheques came into circulation in 1999. An ECOWAS levy of 0.5% on imports from third countries was introduced in 2000 and effectively implemented on 15th April of 2000. The revenue from the duty was to be used for paying arrears and contributions to the ECOWAS and funding for a compensation mechanism for loss of revenue to countries implementing the ETLS. Ghana's commitment was further underscored with the establishment of a Ministry for Regional Cooperation and NEPAD following the declaration of the Fast Track initiative. The Ministry was accorded cabinet status.(AGI/DI Study,2000) PRIVATE SECTOR'S VIEWS ON REGIONAL INTEGRATION The involvement of the private sector in the programme and strategies for regional integration has been very limited from the time of the formation of ECOWAS. In recent times, however, the role of the private sector is being recognised by the governments. The initiation of the fast track approach has witnessed greater efforts by the governments of Ghana and Nigeria to involve their private sectors in the discussions and negotiations for integrating the two economies.