ECOWAS Consultant Pays Working Visit to LRRRC

A consultant on “Free Movement of Persons and Migration” from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), Mr. Akanii Akinyea, on Tuesday, August 5, 2025, paid a one-day working visit to the Executive Director and Officer-in-Charge of the Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission (LRRRC), Hon. Jackson Paye. The visit, which took place at the Commission’s headquarters in Congo Town, was part of a broader engagement by ECOWAS with regional stakeholders aimed at enhancing the implementation of migration governance frameworks and strengthening data systems on human mobility within the West African region. Mr. Akinyea explained that his mission is focused on consulting key institutions and experts across ECOWAS Member States to gather evidence-based data that is reliable, standardized, and of high quality. This, he emphasized, is essential to guiding policies and programs under the Free Movement of Persons and Migration in West Africa – Phase II (FMM2) project. “The FMM2 program seeks to harness the development potential of migration and ensure the effective implementation of the ECOWAS Free Movement of Persons Protocol,” Mr. Akinyea said. “It also supports Member States in aligning their national policies with regional frameworks to promote safe, orderly, and regular migration.” Receiving the ECOWAS consultant, Hon. Jackson Paye welcomed the collaboration and reaffirmed LRRRC’s commitment to regional cooperation on migration issues. He noted that the Commission’s mandate includes the protection of refugees, migrants, stateless persons, and other persons of concern (PoCs), which aligns with the objectives of the FMM2 program. “We are pleased to host this important visit and stand ready to support the data-gathering process and other initiatives under the FMM2 framework,” Hon. Paye said. “Reliable data is the foundation for informed decision-making and effective migration management, and we commend ECOWAS for prioritizing this effort.” The visit provided an opportunity for the two sides to exchange views on current challenges, best practices, and ways to strengthen coordination between national institutions and regional bodies on migration issues. The Liberia Refugee Repatriation and Resettlement Commission remains committed to working with ECOWAS and other partners to promote regional integration and ensure the protection and dignity of all people on the move.