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Leaders of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have been challenged to match their words with actions and ensure the implementation to the letter of Protocols signed to promote integration in the sub-region. The appeal was made by EcoAxis Integration West African Limited at the maiden media summit on ECOWAS protocol on free movement of persons, goods, rights to residency last week in Accra. According to the Convener, Shola Oshunkeye, the protocols on movement of persons, goods and the right to residency have been partially observed but largely existed on paper. �We are saying that if we want to achieve the kind of integration that member states of the European Union gleefully talk about today, the protocols will have to be revisited and the leaders of ECOWAS countries in the sub-region must walk the talk,� he told Business Finder in an interview. �They must match action with their words so that we can have a better ambience for interaction among our peoples,� he stated. The summit engaged high-profile media practitioners in Ghana and Nigeria in a discussion on how the press in these two countries can be at the frontline in setting the agenda for a fully integrated ECOWAS. According to provisions in the Protocol, the Community citizens have the right to enter, reside and establish in the territory of Member States. In order to facilitate the movement of persons, restrictions on the entry of private or commercial vehicles in member states were to be removed, subject to possession of valid driving licence, Matriculation Certificate (Ownership Card) or Log Book, Insurance Policy and international customs documents recognised within the Community. In spite of ratifying the protocol which ushered in the free movement of persons in the sub-region, impeded by the colonial powers, several border checks continue to exist. This has resulted in severe harassment and extortion of money from travellers by security personnel at the numerous checkpoints. Free movement is also hampered by different official languages at border posts, coupled with reports of torture and killings by security personnel in countries like Senegal and Gambia. The killing of 44 Ghanaians in The Gambia by security agencies in 2005 constitutes an example of harassments and difficulties faced by citizens of member states in exercising their right to free movement within the sub-region. Chairman of the National Media Commission (NMC) of Ghana and former Ambassador of Ghana to La Cote d�Ivoire, Kabral Blay-Amihere, who was the guest speaker, was unhappy about extortion from traders, travellers and undue delays at the borders of ECOWAS states. He urged the media to help solve the challenges by writing stories that highlight the plight of travellers. �The media must set the agenda for politicians and not to leave their destiny with politicians,� he advised. According to him, the media should avoid the temptation of assuming nationalistic colours in their reportage since that leads to bigger problems instead of solving them.