Civil Society Organisations on migration across Africa have reaffirmed their commitment to advancing the ratification of the African Union Free Movement Protocol, with the Migration and Rights Lab (MaRL) playing a leading role. The Protocol, adopted in 2018, aims to enable Africans to travel, reside, and work freely across the continent, complementing the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

As a key member of the Coalition of CSOs on Migration, Ghana, MaRL has played a vital role in mobilising civil society voices and shaping national advocacy for the Protocol’s ratification. During the recent national dialogue organised with the Ministry of Interior, MaRL contributed technical expertise to the discussions, emphasising that free trade cannot flourish without free movement and highlighting the urgent need for Ghana to lead by example.

MaRL continues to connect policy and community spaces by engaging migrants, women, youth, and other vulnerable groups to raise awareness about the advantages of regional integration while emphasising that rights, protection, and social inclusion must be at the core of any implementation. Through research, evidence collection, and community-led programmes, MaRL has established itself as a trusted voice shaping migration governance and policy alignment with AfCFTA, ECOWAS, and the Global Compact for Migration.

For MaRL, the AU Free Movement Protocol is about more than mobility; it is about equity, dignity, and justice. Our work demonstrates how CSOs can shape continental agendas, and we remain committed to sustaining momentum until Ghana ratifies the Protocol and sets the pace for Africa’s integration.