By: Saidu Jalloh
In a significant move toward regional integration and institutional advancement, Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED) recently hosted an assessment delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The mission was conducted to evaluate Sierra Leone’s bid to host the ECOWAS Water Resources Management and Youth Development Training Agency, following the withdrawal of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger as previous hosts.
The engagement, held at the MoPED Conference Hall in Freetown, was led by Deputy Minister Rev. Dr. Jonathan Titus Williams. It brought together the ECOWAS Ambassador-Designate to Sierra Leone, representatives from key ministries, departments, and agencies (MDAs), and other high-level stakeholders.
Chairing the meeting, Mr. Peter Sam Kpakra, Development Secretary at MoPED, welcomed the ECOWAS delegation and commended the regional body’s ongoing support and development efforts in Sierra Leone.
ECOWAS Ambassador-Designate John Azumah expressed appreciation for the warm reception and pledged his full support for Sierra Leone’s candidacy. Emphasizing regional solidarity, he committed to advocating on behalf of the country.
During the session, ECOWAS Director of Transport, Mr. Chris Appiah, and Director of Budget, Mr. Molokwu Azikiwe, presented the hosting requirements. These include compliance with ECOWAS protocols on constitutional convergence, democracy, and good governance; full implementation of the ECOWAS Community Levy; and adherence to the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations, especially regarding privileges and immunities.
The host country must also provide a fully equipped, secure, and functional office facility located in a diplomatically suitable area, with reliable access to water, electricity, communications, healthcare, fire services, and security.
In response, representatives from the Ministries of Health, Works, Water Resources, Youth Affairs, Sports, and other MDAs reaffirmed their commitment to meeting all infrastructural and regulatory criteria to support the bid.
In his official remarks, Deputy Minister Rev. Dr. Jonathan Titus Williams thanked the ECOWAS team, describing the assessment as a demonstration of confidence in Sierra Leone’s leadership and a recognition of the nation’s commitment to regional cooperation and development. He reaffirmed the Government’s readiness to provide the legal, logistical, and infrastructural support needed, highlighting the country’s progress in governance, peacebuilding, and institutional reforms.
“This assessment mission is timely,” he noted, “and provides a platform for transparent dialogue and strategic alignment with the ECOWAS Commission’s vision.”
Following several days of technical assessments across the country, a wrap-up meeting was held on Wednesday. During the session, the ECOWAS team encouraged the Ministry to intensify its efforts in identifying a suitable office location and to adopt innovative strategies that would enhance Sierra Leone’s competitive edge in hosting one or both components of the Agency.
Mr. Komba Momoh, Head of the ECOWAS National Office and Deputy Development Secretary, expressed gratitude to the delegation for their thorough assessment and emphasized the strategic importance of the Water Resources Management component to Sierra Leone’s national development agenda.
The meeting concluded on an optimistic note, with all parties agreeing to maintain close communication and ensure coordinated follow-up in the shortest possible timeframe.