The Commission of the Economic Community of West African States has furthered its efforts to improve the lives of community citizens in border areas of Member States.
The ECOWAS Commission officially launched the National Platforms of Liberia and Sierra Leone for the ECOWAS Cross-Border Cooperation Support Programme (ECBCSP) in Monrovia, on April 29, 2024, and in Freetown on May 2, 2024.
Prior to the launch of the National Platforms of these two Member States, nine Member States, namely Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Togo, had launched their National Platforms in 2023 and subsequently received a grant of US$100,000 each from the ECOWAS Commission towards the implementation of quick gain projects in border communities.
The Resident Representative of the ECOWAS Commission in Liberia, Josephine Nkrumah, who represented the Commissioner in charge of Economic Affairs and Agriculture of the ECOWAS Commission, Massandje Toure-Litse, stated that the launch of Liberia’s National Platform for the ECBCSP will kick-start robust implementation between Liberia and its neighbouring States.
The Resident Representative of the ECOWAS Commission in Sierra Leone, Harouna Moussa, highlighted the key role of Civil Society Organisations, state and non-state actors, in ensuring development in several sectors at the local level.
The ECOWAS team delivered a comprehensive presentation which provided detailed insights into the ECBCSP, including its objectives, operational structure, and funding mechanism.
Liberia’s ECBCSP National Platform was officially launched by the Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration, Ibrahim Nyei, while that of Sierra Leone was officially launched by the Minister for Planning, Economic Development, and Integration, represented by the Development Secretary, Peter Sam-Kpakra.
The ECOWAS Cross-Border Cooperation Support Programme is a Multi-Sectoral Development Programme that works with local communities in border regions to ensure social cohesion, regional construction, and sustainable development.
Following the launch of the National Platforms in Liberia and Sierra Leone, the ECOWAS Commission will provide a grant of US$100,000 to each of the Member States to facilitate the implementation of identified cross-border projects endorsed by the national platforms.
