By Favour Ulebor, Abuja
The ECOWAS Parliament has called for stronger public engagement across West Africa to boost regional trade and increase youth participation in the region’s integration process, stressing that citizens must be actively involved for regional programmes to succeed.
The call was made during the launch of the ECOWAS Parliament @25 year-long commemorative programme held Thursday in Abuja.
Speaking at the event, Speaker of the parliament, Memounatou Ibrahima, represented by the Director of Political Affairs and Research, Kabeer Garba, said greater public awareness and participation are essential for citizens to benefit from trade opportunities, innovation programmes and youth initiatives across the sub-region.
According to her, the parliament must continuously engage citizens because it exists to represent the people of the region.
She, however, noted that low public awareness remains a major challenge confronting the parliament’s activities.
Ibrahima explained that the ECOWAS Parliament was established on November 16, 2000, in Bamako, Mali, as part of reforms aimed at strengthening democracy and ensuring that citizens benefit from regional integration policies.
“Our greatest strength as an ECOWAS institution is the fact that we represent the people. We provide a voice and conscience for them. We are supposed to speak on their behalf and defend their interests,” she said.
Earlier, Chief Executive Officer of Duchess Naturals Limited, Victoria Akai, said the private sector is partnering with the parliament to deepen regional cooperation and expand economic opportunities across West Africa.
Akai noted that the Economic Community of West African States, founded on May 28, 1975 through the Treaty of Lagos, has evolved into a key platform for regional cooperation, economic development and shared prosperity in the sub-region.
She added that the ECOWAS Parliament remains a critical partner in advancing regional trade, entrepreneurship, innovation and investment.
“As private sector partners committed to regional economic development, we are proud to support the parliament in delivering a year-long programme of activities across several member states, focused on regional trade and SME development, women’s economic empowerment, youth innovation, civic engagement and cultural heritage,” she said.
Managing Partner of Borderless Trade and Investment, Olori Boye Ajayi, said the planned activities will focus on youth innovation, trade development and civic engagement across several countries.
She said the programme will bring together policymakers, entrepreneurs, innovators and civil society actors from countries including Nigeria, Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Cape Verde, Togo and Sierra Leone to deepen regional collaboration and strengthen cross-border economic opportunities.
Team Lead, Global Trade and Structured Finance at Providus Bank, Biodun Ariyo, said the financial institution joined the initiative to strengthen cross-border trade within the region.
He added that the platform also offers financial institutions the opportunity to expand their reach and support businesses operating across borders within the ECOWAS region.
Meanwhile, Chief Communication Officer of the ECOWAS Parliament, Uche Duru, said the programmes are designed to bridge the gap between the institution and citizens.
She said the activities aim to ensure that awareness of ECOWAS and its parliament reaches ordinary citizens across West Africa.
The ECOWAS Parliament serves as the legislative arm of the Economic Community of West African States and was established in 2000 to represent the people of the region, provide oversight and ensure that ECOWAS policies and programmes benefit citizens.
It also provides a platform for dialogue among lawmakers from member states to debate regional issues, promote democratic governance and advise on matters affecting trade, youth development and social welfare across the sub-region.
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