The southern Sierra Leone city of Bo last week celebrated the 39th anniversary of the founding of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
This year’s celebrations started with a radio discussion meant to raise awareness around the activities of the group in the country and the sub region.
Keynote speaker John Sumailah, who is also the development secretary at the ministry of finance and economic development, said the occasion in Bo was to further the dreams of the founding fathers of the group and foster economic integration among member states.
Mr. Sumailah said in addition to its intervention in the civil war in Sierra Leone, the commission was now actively involved in the advancement of almost all sectors of human development.
He recalled that ECOWAS recently made financial donations to flood victims in the country, while the gender centre in Senegal supported girls with scholarships in technical and vocational institutions in the country.
The ministry official also stated that travelling within the sub region by ECOWAS citizens had created the opportunity for them to feel relaxed.
“The free movement of ECOWAS citizens within the country is aimed at promoting trade. Through the Bank of Investment and Development (EBID) a number of projects have been funded including the Maritime Administration project, the energy project among others,” he said.
The ceremony, chaired by the Provincial Secretary South, Gibrilla Kamara, was also marked by a football match, march past by the ECOWAS national unit at the ministry of finance, pupils of different secondary schools in Bo, ECOWAS volunteers and officials of the Mano River Union.
(C) Politico 03/06/14
