The Bureau Council for the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Brown Card Insurance Scheme (EBCIS) must address the challenges faced in the implementation of the scheme to facilitate and enhance trade and movement of people in the sub-region, Minister said Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwe.
He noted fraud in the acquisition of ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme Certificate at the borders, fraud in the settlement of claims, delays in settlement of claims and inadequate funding for the National Bureau and lack of public awareness and education. Challenges.
The ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme was launched 41 years ago to provide insurance coverage for vehicles traveling within ECOWAS member states and to streamline the processes of obtaining car insurance for ECOWAS citizens traveling throughout the region.
Ms Botchwe, in a speech read on her behalf by her deputy Mavis Nkansah-Badu at the 39th General Assembly of the Bureau Council Ordinary Session ongoing in Accra, said the above challenges “have hindered the smooth functioning of the scheme.” and has had a negative impact on its effectiveness in facilitating unhindered travel and trade within ECOWAS member states.
The four-day conference, being organized by the ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme in collaboration with the National Insurance Commission, is on the theme “Establishment of the ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme as a Specialized Institution/Agency of the ECOWAS Commission for Effective Free Movement”. trade facilitation”.
He said the implementation of the ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme has provided an opportunity to enhance trade and free movement of goods and services across the region for the economic prosperity of the citizens of ECOWAS Member States.
“Despite these constraints, the ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme has achieved notable successes, such as the automated issuance and digitalization of the scheme,” the minister said.
“I am confident that the discussions here will yield concrete actions and strategies that will enhance the effectiveness and efficiency of the ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme,” he said, urging participants to provide suggestions to help improve the EBCIS.
Acting Insurance Commissioner, Shri Michael K. Andoh said efforts to increase accelerated compensation have been strengthened by some regulatory frameworks.
He said the advent of automatic brown card issuance is facilitating payment of cross-border accident claims.
Mr Andoh urged motor underwriting companies to fulfill their obligations with the same zeal, regardless of where the claim originates.
Chairman of the Ghana National Bureau of the ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme, Mr Henry Bukari, said the ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme is currently “the hallmark of regional integration today, facilitating seamless trade and movement within West Africa”.
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