By: Thaimu Bai Sesay
As part of its efforts to bring its activities closer to the people, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), in collaboration with the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), has embarked on a nationwide sensitisation campaign ahead of its 50th anniversary celebrations slated for May 28, 2025.
The engagement, which commenced on Tuesday, February 19, 2025, covered Bonthe Island, Mattru Jong, and Pujehun District. The initiative aims to educate citizens about ECOWAS’s role in regional integration, economic development, and conflict resolution, emphasising that the organisation is more than just its military arm, ECOMOG.
Speaking at the Bonthe District Council Hall, District Officer Aruna Turay, who chaired the meeting, urged stakeholders to disseminate the knowledge gained to their communities. ECOWAS Commissioner in Sierra Leone, Aruna Musa, reiterated the organisation’s shift towards a people-centered approach, emphasising that engaging directly with citizens will help address their challenges and shape policies that foster development.
Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay, underscored the significance of the outreach, noting that Bonthe Island, as the first municipality in Sierra Leone, holds historical relevance. She highlighted that similar sensitisation exercises had already been conducted in other parts of the country. The Minister reaffirmed ECOWAS’s commitment to economic growth, security, and regional cooperation, urging Sierra Leoneans to take ownership of the organisation’s initiatives and contribute meaningfully to its progress.
During her address, Madam Barlay outlined Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (MTNDP), which prioritises agriculture, human capital development, infrastructure, youth employment, and public sector transformation. She assured residents that ECOWAS has been instrumental in supporting Sierra Leone, citing ongoing projects such as the construction of a Logistics Depot in Lungi, assistance to the Aberdeen Women’s Centre, and funding for Kono University. Additionally, she revealed plans to seek ECOWAS funding for the expansion of Bonthe Island’s market and cold room facilities.
Highlighting the specific needs of Bonthe Island, the Minister pointed to key areas requiring urgent intervention, including mechanised farming, a standard referral hospital, a sea ambulance, youth employment schemes, technical and vocational institutions, and remote area allowances for workers.
Delivering a comprehensive presentation on ECOWAS’s activities in Sierra Leone, Deputy Development Secretary and Head of the ECOWAS Desk at MoPED, Komba Momoh, provided an overview of the organisation’s historical background, its 15-member states, and its overarching vision of full integration by 2050. He elaborated on ECOWAS’s objectives, which include harmonising policies for environmental protection, economic integration, free movement of goods and services, and conflict resolution. He also highlighted key ECOWAS institutions, such as the Community Court of Justice, the West African Health Organisation, and the Bank of Investment and Development.
Mayor of Bonthe City Council, Mohamed Robinson, reminisced about Bonthe’s former status as a prominent administrative hub and holiday destination, noting that its infrastructure was meticulously planned by the colonial administration. He called on the government to restore the island’s former glory by providing essential services, particularly a modern market and cold storage facilities. The Mayor also expressed optimism that with sustained government support, Bonthe Island could once again thrive as a vibrant economic and social center.
The sensitisation meeting, which drew a large and engaged audience, featured a lively question-and-answer session and a documentary screening on ECOWAS’s achievements and future plans.
With the countdown to ECOWAS’s 50th anniversary well underway, such engagements reaffirm the regional body’s commitment to inclusivity and citizen participation, ensuring that Sierra Leoneans remain informed and actively involved in the broader West African integration agenda.