South and Eastern Districts, 18th and 19th November 2025: The Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), through the ECOWAS National Office, intensified regional sensitisation efforts in the South and East of Sierra Leone.
The sensitisation sessions brought together a diverse group of stakeholders, including security personnel, persons with disabilities (PWDs), teachers, civil society organisations, inter-religious groups, business leaders, political actors, and administrators.
The initiative aimed to enhance public awareness of ECOWAS history, creation, vision, and its 50 years of interventions in Sierra Leone’s development as a member of the ECOWAS Community.
Chief Frank NeKuh of Kenema District and a traditional authority representative in Bo welcomed MoPED officials and the ECOWAS Ambassador, reaffirming their commitment to strengthening collaboration between ECOWAS and traditional administrations to promote peace and sustainable development.
Mr. Komba Momoh, Deputy Development Secretary III at MoPED, informed participants that the sensitisation seeks to decentralise ECOWAS activities and bring its work closer to the people.
“The regional sensitisation is meant to bring ECOWAS closer to the people and enhance understanding of its programmes and interventions across Sierra Leone,” Mr. Momoh stated.
H.E. Ambassador John Azumah, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Sierra Leone, expressed gratitude to President Julius Maada Bio—current Chairman of the ECOWAS Authority—for his leadership and commitment to strengthening ECOWAS.
He noted ECOWAS’s achievements over the past 50 years in promoting development, peace, security, and cooperation among member states.
He highlighted ECOWAS’s role in restoring peace in Sierra Leone through the ECOMOG mission and emphasized the organisation’s ongoing efforts to support socio-economic transformation and regional integration.
Ambassador Azumah outlined key ECOWAS interventions in Sierra Leone, including:
Economic: ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS), Common External Tariff (CET);
Political and Governance: Election observation, mediation, peace and security initiatives;
Social and Development: ECOWAS Volunteers Programme, free movement, regional health support;
Specific Achievements: Distribution of reusable sanitary pads to schoolgirls, donation of cereals and rice, construction of a health emergency response facility, and customs personnel training among others.
He encouraged citizens to follow ECOWAS activities and support its mission, noting that the organisation belongs to the people of West Africa.
Delivering the Keynote address, Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Madam Kenyeh Barlay, emphasized the significance of the sensitisation, especially with President Julius Maada Bio serving as Chairman of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government.
She highlighted four priority areas for his chairmanship:
Restoring constitutional order;
Strengthening regional security cooperation;
Deepening democracy; and Advancing economic integration and institutional integrity
Minister Barlay noted that Sierra Leone’s Medium-Term National Development Plan (2024–2030) aligns with ECOWAS Vision 2050 and the AU Agenda 2063.
She referenced key ECOWAS-supported projects, including the cross-border market in Wai Community, Pujehun District, and the forthcoming commissioning of the Logistics Depot at Lungi.
She encouraged stakeholders to actively participate and thanked ECOWAS for its continuous partnership.
Chairman of the Bo District Council, Mr. Victor Korseh Hindowa, acknowledged ECOWAS interventions but appealed for expanded support in:
Education and health;
Women’s empowerment loans; Agriculture; Electoral financing; and
Governance and security strengthening
Key presentations were delivered by Dr. Moikowa, Mr. Komba Momoh, and representatives from the National ECOWAS Early Warning and Response Mechanism Centre.
Dr. Moikowa discussed ECOWAS’s history, protocols, and its role in ending Sierra Leone’s civil war.
Mr. Momoh highlighted ongoing interventions, including:
The Logistics Depot at Lungi;
Plans for the Joint Border Post at Jendema;
Efforts to address the Yenga border issue; and
The ECOWAS Volunteer Programme and human capital projects
He encouraged young graduates to explore ECOWAS opportunities, especially as the organisation considers deploying civilians on peacekeeping missions.
All stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation with ECOWAS to promote trade, democracy, peace, good governance, and shared development for a more prosperous West Africa.
