By: Oretha Bundoo Seh
ECOWAS Parliament, in collaboration with the Liberian delegation, Monday commences a week-long delocalized sitting of the joint committee on Administration, Finance, and Budget among others.
The four-day sitting is held under the Theme: “Assessing the effectiveness of the ECOWAS Investment policy as an instrument for addressing the rising levels of unemployment in the sub-region.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the head of Liberia’s delegation to ECOWAS, Senator Edwin Snowe stressed that across the sub-region, unemployment, especially among the youth, is not just an economic concern but a social emergency that undermines peace, fuels migration, and erodes hope.
Senator Snowe mentioned recent data cited in the concept note highlighted youth unemployment in West Africa, which ranks among the highest in the world, despite the region’s abundance of natural resources, human capital, and entrepreneurial spirit.
He indicated the Joint Committee Meeting is a critical platform to evaluate the ECOWAS Investment Policy (EIP), to understand its strengths, identify its limitations, and propose practical, impactful reforms.
At the same time, speaking on behalf of the speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, the 4th deputy speaker, Tunkara Billay said a vibrant and dynamic private sector is indispensable for translating investment into meaningful employment opportunities.
Mr. Billay stated that the purpose of the meeting can only be achieved if ECOWAS can foster an enabling environment that allows entrepreneurs to thrive, innovate, and scale their businesses in the region.
He added public public-private partnerships should be strategically leveraged to mobilize resources, share risks, and expand employment-generating initiatives across the region.
Also in remarks, the President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate, Nyounblee Karnga Lawrence emphasized that with youth unemployment in West Africa reaching some of the highest levels globally, the gathering presents a crucial platform to examine the gaps in the region investment frameworks and, more importantly, to align strategies that meaningfully address joblessness, poverty, and migration pressures.
She said the Liberian government, with support from the legislature has embarked on active reforms to attract both domestic and foreign investment, adding that they have prioritized legal frameworks that will examine the sector gaps in the investment frameworks.
