Monrovia – The Financial Group of West African States (ECOWAS) has positioned the highlight on youth empowerment and drug rehabilitation because it celebrated its fiftieth anniversary in Liberia with name by policymakers for pressing and concrete steps in tackling what has been described as an “existential risk” to the area’s future.
By Emmanuel Weedee-Conway
The day marked by solidarity and outreach in Monrovia, ECOWAS donated meals, college provides and rehabilitation tools to orphanages, aged girls, and drug therapy facilities, signaling its shift towards people-centered improvement.
The donations have been primarily based on a wants evaluation – Mom of Gentle Rehabilitation Heart: televisions, freezers, audio system, and a PlayStation set, St. Benedict Rehabilitation Heart: stitching machines, coaching supplies, and detergents and Violence Towards Youth Heart: 30 baggage of rice, beans, and diverse meals objects.
Talking on the ceremony marking the donation held at ECOWAS’ Headquarters in Monrovia, ECOWAS Resident Consultant to Liberia, Ambassador Josephine Nkrumah, identified that that drug abuse has change into an “existential risk” throughout West Africa, stressing that it have to be handled as a well being and rehabilitation problem relatively than solely a criminal offense.
With over 70 p.c of the sub area’s inhabitants beneath 35, Amb. Nkrumah indicated that saving younger folks from medicine and social exclusion is not non-obligatory, however an crucial.
Predicated upon this, she mentioned ECOWAS is now shifting away from state-focused applications to neighborhood interventions that prioritize weak teams.
She revealed {that a} new drug therapy facility has been accomplished in Totota, Bong County, and can quickly be turned over to Liberia’s Ministry of Well being
“Drug abuse is not only a criminal offense; it’s a well being and rehabilitation problem. If we’re to guard our future, we should reintegrate relatively than marginalize our youth,” she asserted.
She recalled that ECOWAS not too long ago launched a 2025–2026 Social Safety Framework to higher safeguard weak teams and has additionally stepped-up humanitarian applications in Liberia, together with US$1 million in assist to 5 flood-affected counties.
The ECOWAS envoy additionally disclosed concerning the completion of a brand new drug therapy facility in Totota, Bong County, which is able to quickly be turned over to the Ministry of Well being.
As ECOWAS turns 50, Amb. Nkrumah added the sub regional physique’s mission is obvious – to construct a neighborhood that invests not simply in states, however within the folks, particularly the younger, who maintain the way forward for West Africa.
In remarks, the Minister of Youth and Sports activities, Cllr. Jeror Cole Bangalu, urged companions to scale up rehabilitation applications, given that almost three-quarters of Liberia’s inhabitants is beneath 35.
Group beneficiaries welcomed the outreach.
As he counseled ECOWAS for its continued help, the MYS boss revealed that Liberia will quickly host the headquarters of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports activities Improvement Heart.
“With practically 74 p.c of Liberia’s inhabitants made up of youth, all the pieces we do should prioritize their future,” Minister Bangalu acknowledged.
“We should rejoice the numerous younger Liberians excelling in medication, sports activities, and different fields, whereas additionally supporting those that are weak to medicine and substance abuse.”
Minister Bangalu asserted that the Authorities of Liberia by way of the Ministry of Well being is developing a 350-bed psychiatric hospital in Bensonville, whereas it has by way of the Ministry of Youth and Sports activities, has accomplished a dormitory facility for use for youth rehabilitation.
He urged worldwide companions, together with ECOWAS, to help the institution of “spontaneous rehabilitation facilities” to satisfy the rising wants of at-risk youth.
Abdullah Shenyi, Basic Supervisor of the Mom of Gentle Drug Rehabilitation Heart, mentioned the donations would strengthen efforts to revive younger lives.
“Drug abuse destroys potential and weakens households. Rehabilitation and reintegration are the one solution to give our youth a second probability.”
This system fashioned a part of ECOWAS’s new Social Safety Framework (2025–2026), which incorporates focused help for at-risk youth, climate-smart agriculture coaching for households, and assist to flood-affected counties.
