Motorists must insist on cross-border cover - ECOWAS Brown Card Scheme

The ECOWAS Brown Card Insurance Scheme is marking its 44th anniversary with renewed calls for motorists to demand their Brown Card certificate whenever they purchase motor insurance.

Speaking at this year’s ECOWAS Brown Card Day celebration, Chairman of the Ghana National Bureau, Fred Saka, said the scheme was established on May 29, 1982, in Cotonou, Benin, to support ECOWAS objectives of economic integration and the free movement of people, goods, and services.

“Its main objective is to ensure prompt and fair compensation to victims of motor accidents caused by non-resident motorists travelling within ECOWAS member states,” he said.

The Brown Card serves as a common third-party liability insurance cover for visiting motorists who cause death, injury, or property damage in another member state.

Saka said the Ghana National Bureau, set up in 1987 as the operational secretariat, handles cross-border claims and issues Brown Cards to motor insurance underwriting companies in Ghana.

Over the years, the Bureau has built partnerships with the National Insurance Commission, Ghana Insurers Association, MTTD of the Ghana Police Service, Borderless Alliance, Ghana Shippers’ Authority, and transport associations.

He highlighted a key milestone: the Bureau’s collaboration with the NIC to integrate Brown Cards into the Motor Insurance Database (MID) system to digitise certificates and improve verification.

Saka urged the insured public to insist on their Brown Card certificate with every motor policy, whether comprehensive or third-party.

“It is paid for in your motor premium. The ECOWAS Brown Card risk can occur both within the country and outside the borders,” he said.

The 44th anniversary is being observed by all National Bureaux across ECOWAS member states to draw attention to the scheme’s role in protecting road users across the sub-region.