ECOWAS Commission Sensitisation Campaign Commences

ECOWAS Commission, in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Employment on Monday 27th July 2009, commenced a two-day sensitisation campaign at the Corinthian Hotel in Banjul. The campaign is designed to project the activities of ECOWAS and its institutions, in collaboration with the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Employment.

In his statement, the Principal Programme Officer, Mr. Sonny Ugoh, who represented the Director of Commission at the ECOWAS Commission expressed gratitude at the programme.

He said it further demonstrates the necessity and viability of partnership between the commission and national units in determined efforts to realise the objectives of other integration effort, which is to facilitate the socio-economic integration of the region, and to ensure the development of the economic well-being of its citizen.

According to the Programm Officer, some years ago, the ECOWAS Commission had introduced this platform driven by the realisation of the valuable role of citizen's engagement in the integration process.

The Programme Officer also revealed that since their last visit, the region has experienced significant developments, the most remarkable being the 2007 transformation of the defunct executive secretariat into a commission, headed by a President and supported by a Vice-President and eight commissioners.

"Additionally, we have involved a vision of transforming into an ECOWAS of people by 2002, a vision that envisage, a citizen-owned organisation by that year and necessary requires us to redouble our efforts in pursuing the realisation of our core integration platform and citizen mobilisation".

"We have therefore risen to the challenge by a renewed determination to pursue those critical aspects of our integration programme with vigour," he stated.

According to him, in order to increase their chances of success they have decided to focus on six core areas that have been determined to be critical in addressing the challenges of poverty, unemployment and development.

In declaring the forum open, Mr. Yusupha Kah, the Permanent Secretary at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Employment, who deputized for the Minister, expressed delight at this year's campaign. He said it aimed at raising understanding of citizens on regional programme on energy and infrastructure, as well as the ECOWAS Institute Programme, such as WAHO, GIABA and ECOWAS Parliament. He then urged the participants to share the information gained from the campaign with other members of their institution so as to promote the spirit of integration.

He added that the Gambia will continue to work closely with other ECOWAS member states and support ECOWAS initiatives and programmes that aim to strengthen integration process in West Africa for the socio-economic development of the sub-region.