Working towards the realization of a more responsive Representation for the People of the Community, the ECOWAS Parliament has pledged to collaborate with media practitioners to achieve the desired level of information flow necessary for citizens’ mobilization and sensitization on the activities of the legislative arm of ECOWAS.

The Parliament which is in its fourth life, is also looking forward to participation in synergy with sister institutions in ensuing greater access to information regarding how its sessions and decisions can benefit the people of West Africa.

These disclosures were made by the ECOWAS Parliament’s Director of Parliamentary Affairs, Mr. Bertin Some in Abuja when selected journalists from the region visited the Parliament on the eve of the conclusion of a training programme and study tour of ECOWAS institutions.  

Introducing the visitors to the workings of the ECOWAS, Mr. Some explained the status of the various units noting that Its plenary is the highest deliberative body, assisted by the Bureau, standing Committees and as well as the General Secretariat.

Addressing the participants during the closing ceremony of the study tour, the Resident Representative of the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Nigeria, Madam Seija Sturies thanked the recipients of the training and programme organizers while extolling the spirit of fellowship and collaboration that allows development and integration conscious foundations such as FES to work with the ECOWAS Commission in the hope that the people of West Africa would be better informed about the positive activities of the regional body.

Mrs. Sandra Oulate Fattoh Elleingand, the Director of Communication, ECOWAS Commission represented by Mr. Henry Nwagboso of the Library and Documentation Unit, expressed the hope that participants will make good use of the knowledge acquired from the training and ensure wide dissemination and sensitization of Community citizens towards the achievement of our common goals as members of the ECOWAS Community.

The participants in their group reports suggested the need for more capacity building programmes and unhindered access to information regarding ECOWAS activities for journalist within the sub-region, particularly improvements in on-field implementation of the protocol on Free Movement of goods, persons and services in the region.

The ECOWAS Commission and its collaborator for the programme the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) had explained that young journalists in the region were being targeted for the programme because the media is the channel through which the citizens can access information while the engagement of the younger generation to both the internet and social media, especially the growing use of the latter, must be leveraged upon in all the member countries if ECOWAS must achieve its goal of becoming an ECOWAS of the people.  

Participants on the study tour and professional enhancement training programme were drawn from Benin, Faso, Verde, Cote, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Guinea, Liberia, Mali, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Leone and Togo.