Ghana in Search of Regional Integration Agenda 152 Each of the position papers emerging out of the Working Group's meetings underscored organised labour's commitment to deepening regional integration. The position paper on EPA 166 underscored the importance of regional integration and suggested – at that stage in the evolution of the Working Group- that the EPA could stimulate regional integration. Apart from demanding trade union inclusion in the EPA negotiations, the trade union representatives demanded the strengthening of regional integration, acknowledged the need for the region to adopt its own trade and investment policies; demanded the adoption of sectoral policies especially in agriculture. Recognising the tendency for some countries to lose out in the creation of customs unions, the trade unions also expressed the need to create compensatory mechanisms at the national and regional levels, in keeping with the spirit and letter of the EPA. The position on Food Security also underscored the importance of regional integration. It is however the working group's position on regional Integration which explicitly underscores the importance of integration and affirms that“integration is a necessary condition for the development of the sub-region which is plagued with abject poverty, under-development and conflicts”. 167 It also recalls African and West African regional initiatives and efforts to promote regional integration on the continent. Whilst recognising the establishment of ECOWAS as a major turning point in the integration efforts of the sub-region, it is quick to acknowledge the slow pace and seeming low level of commitment – particularly in relation to the ratification and operationalisation of ECOWAS protocols. Far-reaching perspectives of trade union advocacy for regional integration have been agreed upon. These include • The active participation of trade unions and the population in the regional integration processes and the reform of regional institutions so as to ensure their inclusion and participation. • Strengthening the capacity of ECOWAS to ensure the effective implementation of common agreements. • Empowering Community institutions through access to appropriate resources in order to promote peace and stability in the political and economic environment. • Creating conditions that grant opportunity to the private sector and farmers to increase their productivity. • Developing and implementing a common agricultural policy for ECOWAS so as to satisfy the demands of the common market and to increase competitiveness at the international level. 166 Subsequent to this July 2005 position, the Working Group has been more insistent that indeed the EPA was a threat to regional integration. 167 West African Trade Union's Working Group: Position Papers on International Economy and Regional Integration, (Cotonou, FES, May 2009).