REPORT BY: KWEKU BOLTON
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has significantly improved and transformed the lives of youth in the region through various initiatives. ECOWAS has implemented youth empowerment programs focusing on skills development, education, gender development centre support for people living with disability, employment opportunities, and leadership participation. For instance, the ECOWAS Youth Empowerment Programme has mobilised the youth for positive human capital development and conflict prevention. Additionally, the ECOWAS Youth Parliament engages young people in policy advocacy and decision-making processes.
Youth Engagement:
In 2024, the maiden inter-schools’ debate marking the 49th anniversary of ECOWAS in Accra, Ghana, featured topics such as the operationalisation of the joint border trade post under the ECOWAS protocol on free movement, which has accelerated trade across the region and enhanced the standard of living for its citizens. The implementation of the ECOWAS youth policy has also enhanced the involvement of youth in the development of member states. The inception of ECOWAS has contributed to regional unity, peace, and security. The final debate focused on the potential effects of the departure of Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger from ECOWAS.
Participating schools received books, and the winners also received cash prizes and trophies. The students lauded ECOWAS’s decision to involve the youth in the organisation’s activities and participation in ECOWAS activities, emphasising that such programs bring positive transformation and connectivity among the youth.
A Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Mr. Kwaku Ampratwum-Sarpong, emphasised the importance of educating the youth about the relevance of ECOWAS and encouraging their active participation in regional bloc activities. Given that 65 percent of the population is under the age of 24, sensitising the youth about the importance of ECOWAS will positively impact the region.
The Resident Representative of ECOWAS to Ghana, Mr. Baba Gana Wakil, emphasised that the debate will not only generate interest among the youth in the bloc but also encourage them to participate in ECOWAS activities.
Youth Education and Scholarships:
ECOWAS has made significant efforts to support youth education through scholarships. According to available data, ECOWAS awarded nearly 800 scholarships to underprivileged students in the region. These scholarships have enabled many young people to pursue higher education and technical and vocational education and training (TVET) programs. In addition to these scholarships, ECOWAS has provided training opportunities for youth in various fields. For instance, 169 young people were trained in building electrical wiring, 577 in agro-business and pastoral studies, and 310 in automobile mechanics, refrigeration, and air conditioning. These initiatives aim to equip the youth with the skills needed to secure employment and contribute to the region’s economic development.
Despite these efforts, challenges remain, such as limited access to quality education and inadequate infrastructure. ECOWAS continues to address these issues by enhancing educational facilities and providing vocational training to equip the youth with marketable skills. By supporting education and training, ECOWAS aims to foster a more inclusive and prosperous future for the youth in the region.
In terms of education, the UNHCR Education Dashboard for the 2022-2023 school year highlights that ECOWAS countries have made efforts to support refugee education. The dashboard indicates that approximately 569 refugees were supported with higher education and TVET scholarships. Furthermore, ECOWAS has been involved in building or rehabilitating 100 classrooms to improve educational infrastructure.
Policies on humanitarian and youth support
At a press conference in Abuja on April 19, 2024. ECOWAS Commissioner for Human Development and Social Affairs, Professor Fatou Sow Sarr, discussed ECOWAS policies on humanitarian issues and youth. He emphasised that the department addresses science, education, culture, gender equality, and humanitarian aid. In 2024, over 9 million dollars was allocated to support internally displaced persons, refugees, and host communities. ECOWAS provided financial assistance to Guinea and funds for regional resilience against terrorism.
Youth and Sports Development and Artists Support
ECOWAS has donated 300,000 dollars to support the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games, as part of its commitment to youth empowerment and promoting Olympism. This donation was presented to the National Olympic and Sports Committee of Senegal (CNOSS) during the ECOWAS Youth Assembly in Dakar, attended by high-ranking officials like Prof. Fatou Sow Sarr and Ms. Khady Diène Gaye. The funds will aid in organizing the first Youth Olympic Games on the African continent, highlighting ECOWAS’s dedication to sports and youth development. Prof. Sow Sarr emphasised the pride and opportunity this historic event brings to the region, while CNOSS representatives expressed gratitude for ECOWAS’s significant support. The games will gather young athletes aged 14 to 17 from around the world, promoting regional unity and showcasing African youth talent. This donation is part of a partnership agreement signed in 2022 between ECOWAS and CNOSS.
Additionally, the ECOWAS Youth and Sport Development Centre has deployed 217 volunteers since 2014 and supports sports federations with annual loans. Vocational training programs benefit young people, with 845 participants since 2016 and 42 sent to Spain for master’s degrees since 2019. Moreover, ECOWAS promotes cultural activities and offers support to artists and sports federations for regional integration.
Vision 2050 Engagement
ECOWAS has prioritised the inclusion of women and youth in its Vision 2050 strategy. This initiative focuses on identifying challenges and proposing actionable solutions for sustainable economic development. The strategy underscores the importance of harnessing the demographic dividend of the region’s youth population by promoting access to education, skills development, and employment opportunities. One notable example is the ECOWAS Youth Development Centre, located in Burkina Faso, which provides training and resources to equip young people with the skills necessary to make meaningful contributions to their communities.
Gender Development Centre (GDC)
The ECOWAS Gender Development Centre (EGDC) spearheads inclusive programs aimed at advancing gender equity and empowering women and girls across the region. Its key strategic pillars include governance, legal reforms, economic empowerment, and fostering sustainable partnerships. Recent EGDC initiatives have included capacity-building workshops and targeted programs to combat gender-based violence. Furthermore, ECOWAS has made significant progress in promoting women’s participation in policymaking and leadership roles. The organisation has also reaffirmed its zero-tolerance policy for sexual and gender-based violence, reinforcing its commitment to creating a safe and equitable environment for all.
Support for People Living with Disability
ECOWAS (Economic Community of West African States) has been actively working to support people with disabilities in the region. They have developed a comprehensive action plan for the inclusion of people with disabilities in West Africa from 2022 to 2030. This plan focuses on improving disability inclusion within ECOWAS Commission activities, enhancing legal and policy frameworks for people with disabilities, and strengthening regional partnerships to mobilise resources. The action plan includes measures to address the main difficulties faced by people with disabilities, such as access to health and rehabilitation services, education and training, employment, and integration. ECOWAS has also been organising regional training and coordination meetings to build the capacity of focal points for the inclusion of persons with disabilities and to raise awareness about the importance of the Protocol of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights relating to the rights of persons with disabilities. In addition, ECOWAS has been implementing pilot projects in member states like Togo and Nigeria to provide assistive devices to children with disabilities, with plans to extend this initiative to all member states.
Youth Employment and skills development:
ECOWAS has made substantial strides in improving youth employment and education in the region. According to the ECOWAS Youth Employability Strategy 2019, various initiatives have been implemented to enhance youth employability, particularly in the agro-sylvo-pastoral and fisheries sectors. These initiatives have provided employment opportunities to thousands of young people across the ECOWAS member states.
Despite these efforts, challenges remain. Youth unemployment rates are still high, and many young people face barriers to accessing quality education. ECOWAS continues to address these issues by promoting entrepreneurship, enhancing educational facilities, and providing vocational training to equip youth with marketable skills. Data shows that youth unemployment remains a critical issue, with high rates of joblessness among young people. ECOWAS addresses this by promoting entrepreneurship and small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) among youth. The organisation also emphasises gender equality and the inclusion of young women in leadership roles.
Overall, ECOWAS’s initiatives have positively impacted youth employment and education in the region, but ongoing efforts are needed to overcome existing challenges and ensure sustainable development for the youth. Increases skills development, encouraging youth agriculture and development, employment opportunities, and educational policies for the youth in the region. By addressing these issues, ECOWAS aims to foster a more inclusive and prosperous future for the youth in the region.
