By Foday Moriba Conteh
As they continue their strides to create an enabling environment for young people in the country, the ECOWAS Youth Council Sierra Leone Chapter has on Sunday 7th June, 2020 met with the newly elected Speaker of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Parliament, Hon Sidie Mohamed Tunis, at the Ministry of Youth Affairs Conference Hall, Stadium Hostel, in Freetown.
In his opening address, the President of the ECOWAS Youth Council Sierra Leone Chapter, Amb Sheku Foryoh described the gathering as an August meeting which, he said, will help to change the narrative about young people in the country.
He added that they decided to invite the newly elected Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon Sidie Mohamed Tunis, to brief him on the successful activities the Council has undertaken in the fight against the coronavirus in the country.
He further disclosed that they are more than committed in soliciting support for young people in the country, adding that the ECOWAS Youth Council Sierra Leone Chapter was established three months ago but that they have made a lot of progress towards the development of young people and the country as a whole.
He expressed gratitude to the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament for honouring their invitation and for his good leadership in rolling out programs geared towards youth empowerment and development.
He also used the opportunity to introduce the ECOWAS Youth Council Sierra Leone Chapter Executive and encouraged them to work in the best interest of young people.
Vice President of the ECOWAS Youth Council, Hannah Kargbo, revealed that the Council is a youth-led organization that has a membership that cuts across various countries that are part of the ECOWAS. She also expressed appreciation to the Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament.
Disclosing their contributions towards the fight against the COVID-19 in the country she disclosed that in a bid to complement the efforts of the Government to reach out to communities with preventive messages against the coronavirus, the ECOWAS Youth Council Sierra Leone Chapter on Friday 11th April 2020 concluded a 2 day outreach sensitization on the causes and prevention of the Corona Virus Disease (COVID-19) at Gbalamuya, a border community closer to Guinea in the Kambia District in line with their “Beyond Borders Sensitization Tour”.
She also pleaded to the Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament to give them opportunities to fully participate in all ECOWAS activities across the region in order to equip them so that they will give back to society.
On his part, the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon Sidie Mohamed Tunis, commended His Excellency President Julius Maada Bio for his commitment towards the development of young people in the country.
He also applauded the Council for the tremendous work they have been doing towards the development of young people disclosing how he has been following the work of the Council towards national development.
He said that the potentials that young people have so far displayed and their readiness in the Council to complement the efforts of the ECOWAS Commission and the Government of Sierra Leone are laudable adding that under his leadership as ECOWAS Speaker he will ensure that he works with the Council in order to achieve their goals.
He further disclosed that young people have pivotal roles to play towards the development of any nation, and that the productivity of any country lies in the hands of the youth. It against such a backdrop,he said, that the ECOWAS VISION of 2020 is targeting young people and see how they can move from Communities of States to Communities of People.
He assured them that the ECOWAS Youth Council will have the recognition and support of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and other Government agencies which will make their work easy.
