Ghana in Search of Regional Integration Agenda 182 Key among these are the lack of integration of markets and non-implementation of macro-economic convergence criteria, un-integrated production patterns, the lack of implementation of ECOWAS Protocols, lack of harmonisation of national laws and policies, inadequate infrastructural facilities hindering effective movement of persons, goods and services, different levels of development of the Member States, multiplicity of regional organisations, political instability and civil strife in some Member States, and lack of political will of leaders. i. Lack of Integration of markets and non-implementation of macro­economic convergence criteria. In accordance with the Revised Treaty, a common market is to be established through the liberalization of trade. Meanwhile, within the revised timeframe for liberalisation of trade, ECOWAS was to become a free trade area with effect from 2000 leading to the establishment of an economic union. 209 Among the measures envisaged are the removal of all physical and non-physical barriers to free movement of persons, goods and services, total eradication of all rigid border formalities the application of prescribed ECOWAS Customs and Immigration procedures, the implementation of the ECOWAS Trade Liberalisation Scheme including the provision for compensation for loss of revenue, increased intra-regional trade by 50% and the adoption of a Common External Tariff for all imports into the sub­region. However, the Trade Liberalisation Scheme has faced obstacles and challenges that have hampered its effective implementation. 210 Among these are the complex rules of origin, and cumbersome approval procedures for industrial goods, ineffective compensation schemes, unilateral anti-trade decisions and the existence of the two liberalisation schemes in the region, namely, the ECOWAS and Union Economique et Monetaire Ouest Africaine(UEMOA). 211 The UEMOA, which metamorphosed from the West African Monetary Union (UMOA), essentially envisages the creation of an economic union among the Member States, including the eventual establishment of a customs union. 212 To that end, in 2000, UEMOA adopted a four-tier(0%, 5%, 10% and 20%) rate Common External Tariff(CET) applicable to third countries including non-UEMOA Member States of ECOWAS, thus rendering UEMOA a customs union. The response has been that by a December 2000 Decision of Authority of Heads of State ECOWAS 209 See Decision of the Authority, A/DEC.1/9/83 of 20 May 1983. 210 See Yilma Gebremariam,“Obstacles to Trade and Economic Development among West African States”, Journal of International Development, Vol. 5, Issue 5, pp. 79-92. 211 Formed in 1994, it envisages the creation of an economic union among the members, including the eventual establishment of a customs union. The Member States are Benin, Burkina Faso, Cote d'Ivoire, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Niger, Senegal, and Togo. 212 Article IV, par. 2.