By Joyce Remi- Babayeju
ECOWAS in a joint effort with the Liberian Government have adopted a Roadmap to guide countries on intervention to strengthen the Protection and Human Security architectures in all ECOWAS Members including Liberia.
The Roadmap was adopted at a 3- Day Workshop Coordination and Capacity Building Workshop for Multi- Stakeholders in Liberia organized by the Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs in the Department of Human Development and Social Affairs.
Participants at the Workshop were Ministries, State Institutions, Agencies, CSOs, the Organized Private Sector , the Media and partners from Gambia, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Nigeria, Togo and Niger.
The Workshop was part of a High Level Government activity, held in Liberia aimed at the development and adoption of a Roadmap; as well as establishment of an ECOWAS Integrated Protection and Human Security Coordination Mechanism (ECO-PHSICM).
The ECOWAS Resident Representative in Liberia, H.E. Josephine Nkrumah, noted that the ECOWAS Protection and Human Security Integrated Coordination Mechanism when established in Liberia will promote the rights of people to live in freedom and promote dignity with equal opportunities to enjoy their rights and develop their human potential.
She therefore called on all Stakeholders to be commitment to the Intervention, adding that this would enhance improved human security.
Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, Dr. Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, who was represented by Mr. Osondu Ekeh, Project Officer, OCWAR-T Project in the Human Security and Civil Society (HSCS) Division commended the ECOWAS Commission of the efforts at bringing stakeholders together to address human security and protection concerns in the country.
Mr. Ekeh, noted that the intervention is to address the prevailing realities in West Africa such as Human Security and Protection against Human Trafficking, Violence against Children, Irregular Migration, Drug Abuse, Gender Based Violence, Low Level of Social Protection and Access to Justice, Forced Displacement amongst others.
Ekeh added that the expected outcomes of the intervention is substantial improvement in national coordination and capacity to prevent and address vulnerabilities, victimization, and other related risks.
He urged participating countries to ensure that the Rights of Children, Women and other Groups in vulnerable situations are mainstreamed into National Development Planning, Budgeting Process, with adequate resources allocated for a significant improvement in citizens’ protection and human security.
All the Speakers reiterated the commitment of the Government and People of the Republic of Liberia towards the enthronement of protection and human security in Liberia in particular and the region in general.
