ECOWAS National Office Takes on Wai Community in Pujehun on Cross-Border Project Implementation

A delegation from the ECOWAS National Office within Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Planning and Economic Development (MoPED), led by Development Secretary Peter Sam-Kpakra, engaged residents of Wai in Soro Gbeima Chiefdom, Pujehun District, to discuss the ECOWAS Cross-Border Cooperation Support Programme (ECBCSP) 2023-2027. The delegation, which included representatives from key ministries such as Local Government, Education, and Internal Affairs, as well as the ECOWAS Resident Ambassador, sought the community’s insights and consent for the project, aiming to foster regional peace, development, and economic collaboration.

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), founded on May 28, 1975, was established to foster economic integration and cooperation among member states, with the primary objective of improving living standards for citizens in the region. The ECBCSP, officially launched on May 2, 2024, in Freetown by MoPED leadership and the Directorate of Free Movement and Migration of the ECOWAS Commission, is designed to promote regional stability, manage migration, and support cross-border socio-economic development. By encouraging cooperation and integration across borders, the program aims to empower local communities and enhance development across Sierra Leone and Liberia.

During the meeting in Wai, Paramount Chief Mustapha J. Massaquoi welcomed the delegation and expressed gratitude for MoPED’s efforts to extend ECOWAS-supported development to the district. Acknowledging the ongoing ECOWAS initiatives in the region, including the cross-border post between Sierra Leone and Liberia, he emphasized how the new project would facilitate trade and free movement of people, further strengthening regional ties.

Development Secretary Peter Sam-Kpakra commended the community for their openness and enthusiasm, reiterating the government’s commitment to ECOWAS initiatives and acknowledging the pivotal role ECOWAS played during Sierra Leone’s civil war. He assured the community that their input was heard and pledged that the steering committee would review the feedback before initiating the project.

In line with community feedback, the delegation visited the proposed site for the project. After discussions, residents expressed unanimous support for the establishment of a local market to enhance trade opportunities and economic activities in the area. The site visit allowed committee members, including Komba Momoh, Head of the ECOWAS National Office, and Desk Officer Madam Laygbay Lilian Amadu, to assess the land allocated for the market.

The ECBCSP steering committee will now review the findings from Wai and present their recommendations to ensure the project aligns with both community needs and ECOWAS objectives of fostering peace, security, and regional development.

This outreach marks another milestone in Sierra Leone’s commitment to regional cooperation, as the nation continues to strengthen its bonds with ECOWAS and bolster economic growth and stability across West Africa.