ECOWAS Lawmakers Meet in Monrovia to Tackle Unemployment Crisis Among Member 'States
Friday, June 20, 2025
The Sixth Legislature of the ECOWAS Parliament has convened a week-long Joint Committee Meeting in Monrovia aimed at reviewing the effectiveness of the ECOWAS Investment Policy (EIP) in addressing rising unemployment across the sub-region. The high-level engagement, which officially opened on Monday, June 16, 2025, at the RLJ Hotel, brings together Members of Parliament, ECOWAS officials, and development partners 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.” The sitting is expected to end on Friday, June 20, 2025. In a warm welcome, Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe, head of Liberia’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, encouraged delegates to engage meaningfully while enjoying the vibrant culture and hospitality of Monrovia.
“Our capital, with its rich history and sweeping ocean views, welcomes you to deliberate on issues that matter deeply to our people,” Snowe said. He hailed Liberia’s recent election to the UN Security Council as a sign of growing global confidence and urged delegates to be inspired by Liberia’s progress. Delivering a keynote address, Hon. Alhagie S. Darbo, Chairman of the Committee on Macroeconomic Policy and Economic Research, emphasized the urgency of turning investment policies into real economic opportunities. “The real challenge is not just attracting investment but ensuring that it leads to decent and sustainable jobs for our citizens,” he said. Senator Nyonblee Karnga-Lawrence, President Pro Tempore of the Liberian Senate, delivered a goodwill message on behalf of the national legislature.
She praised the ECOWAS Parliament for choosing Liberia as the host and reaffirmed the Senate’s support for regional collaboration and youth empowerment. “This theme resonates strongly with our national priorities,” she said, pointing to legislative reforms aimed at promoting private sector growth and technical education in Liberia. Also addressing the opening was ECOWAS Resident Representative Amb. Josephine Nkrumah, who called for greater synergy between regional and national institutions to maximize policy impacts. Speaker of Liberia’s House of Representatives, Hon. Richard Koon, who was scheduled to speak, is absent for other regional engagements. The conference continues through the week with technical sessions and deliberations expected to produce recommendations that can strengthen the ECOWAS Investment Policy and unlock opportunities for millions of young people across West Africa.
