By: Aminata Sesay
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has called on the Parliament of Sierra Leone to play a leading role in promoting public awareness and implementation of its Vision 2050 agenda as the regional bloc intensifies efforts to bring its programmes closer to citizens across West Africa.
The call was made on Tuesday during an engagement between a delegation from the ECOWAS Commission and Members of Parliament at Committee Room One in Freetown. The meeting focused on the popularization of ECOWAS Vision 2050 and strategies for strengthening public participation in the regional integration agenda.
Moderating the session, former President of the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA) and Deputy Chief Whip of Parliament, Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay, said the initiative was aimed at deepening awareness of the vision and enhancing citizens’ understanding of ECOWAS’ role in advancing regional integration.
She recalled that since its establishment in 1975, ECOWAS has remained committed to fostering cooperation among member states and building a more integrated and prosperous West African community.
Welcoming the delegation, the Clerk of Parliament, Karmoh K. Conteh, described the engagement as timely and significant. He assured the ECOWAS team of Parliament’s commitment to supporting initiatives that align with the aspirations and objectives of Vision 2050.
Representing the Opposition, Hon. Catherine Zainab Tarawallie also welcomed the engagement, noting that regional integration remains essential to addressing the shared challenges confronting West African countries. She assured the delegation of the Opposition’s continued support in advancing the goals and objectives of ECOWAS.
Explaining the purpose of the visit, ECOWAS Director of Strategic Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, Gbogbolo Musa, said the engagement formed part of broader efforts to increase public awareness of the activities, achievements, and priorities of the regional institution.
“We are doing this in order to bring ECOWAS closer to the people,” Musa stated, adding that Vision 2050 was developed from the aspirations of West African citizens and requires collective ownership and participation for its successful implementation.
He encouraged Members of Parliament to take the message of Vision 2050 to their respective constituencies to ensure that citizens understand both the opportunities and responsibilities associated with the regional agenda.
ECOWAS Resident Representative to Sierra Leone, Ambassador John Azumah, highlighted the importance of Parliament’s involvement in achieving the vision, describing it as a reflection of the hopes and aspirations of the people of West Africa.
He commended the leadership of President Julius Maada Bio, who currently serves as Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority of Heads of State and Government, for his commitment to strengthening regional cooperation and integration.
According to Ambassador Azumah, ECOWAS Vision 2050 seeks to build a fully integrated, peaceful, and prosperous West African community where citizens, including women and children, actively participate in shaping the region’s future.
He urged Parliament to play an active role in the implementation process, stressing that collective efforts are necessary to deliver lasting benefits, sustainable development, and renewed hope for present and future generations.
During the engagement, presentations were made on the key pillars of Vision 2050, including regional economic integration, peace and security, good governance, social development, and mechanisms such as the National Early Warning and Response System, which is designed to strengthen conflict prevention and enhance regional stability.
Earlier, the Director of Parliamentary and Public Relations, Sheku Lamin Turay, underscored the importance of regional integration and emphasized the need for stronger collaboration among West African institutions to achieve sustainable development and shared prosperity.
The engagement reaffirmed the commitment of both ECOWAS and the Parliament of Sierra Leone to advancing regional integration, promoting citizen participation, and achieving the long-term aspirations outlined in Vision 2050.