ECOWAS: SECOND EXTRAORDINARY SESSION OPENS IN GHANA, TO CREATE ECOWAS YOUTH PARLIAMENT 03-10-23
By Sadiq Aminu The Second Extraordinary Session Opens in Ghana with assurance for the establishment of ECOWAS Youth Parliament. The second Extraordinary Session of the fifth legislature of Economic Community of West African States Parliament, (ECOWAS Parliament) has commenced in Winneba, Ghana with an assurance for the establishment of the ECOWAS YOUTH Parliament.
The session which is dedicated to the consideration and adoption of the 2024 Draft Budget of the Parliament.
While declaring it opened, the Speaker of the parliament, Hon. Sidie Mohamed Tunis, said key components of the 2024 budget would be directed towards supporting women and youth development.
He said the establishment of ECOWAS Youth Parliament would bring about more youth involvements and participations in political institutions in the region and prevent them from vices.
“Considering the recent political trends across the region, focusing on youth, in terms of their engagement in an organized forum, is extremely timely and could sway them away from the temptation of engaging in vices that are detrimental to their overall development. With that said, we are fully prepared to promote the establishment of the ECOWAS Youth Parliament. We are convinced that an ECOWAS Youth Parliament could serve as the foundation for youth representation in formal political institutions such as Parliaments, Political Parties, and other Public Institutions.”
The Speaker also gave an assurance that the Parliament would sponsor another global women and youth summit to deliberate on issues concerning women and youths.
“Earlier this year, we hosted the ECOFEPA Global Summit through direct budgetary allocation from the Parliament’s Budget. As a result of the successes recorded and testimonies received from the beneficiaries, I am pleased to announce that provision has been made in the 2024 budget to host a Second Global Summit for Women and Youths across our region before the end of this Legislature.
Dr. Tunis tasked members of the parliament to protect the tenets of democracy while calling on leaders to deliver the dividends of democracy to its citizens .