Africa-Press – Liberia. The visit also comes just days before a nationwide youth rally scheduled for August 7, organized under the theme “Say No to Drugs.”
ECOWAS Parliament high-powered delegation has arrived in Liberia to raise awareness about the growing crisis of drug abuse and mental health challenges among young people in the region.
The visit is part of a broader regional outreach by ECOWAS lawmakers who are engaging member states to find joint solutions to what many now describe as a youth emergency across West Africa. Liberia is the third country to receive the mission after Guinea and Sierra Leone.
The visit also comes just days before a nationwide youth rally scheduled for August 7, organized under the theme “Say No to Drugs.” The peaceful demonstration will see young people and civil society groups marching across Monrovia to call attention to the dangers of drug abuse and demand stronger government action.
Although the ECOWAS Parliament will not participate in the rally, its presence in Liberia has been described by officials as timely and important for shaping regional policy.
Unified West Africa Approach
The delegation is being led by Dr. Orlando Pereira Dias, a Member of Parliament from Cape Verde and Chair of the ECOWAS Parliament’s Committee on Health.
In his remarks, Dr. Dias stressed the importance of harmonizing drug laws across ECOWAS countries, while also creating reintegration programs for young people already affected by drug use.
“West Africa is rising together to protect its future,” Dr. Dias said. “This regional movement is about saving lives, restoring dignity, and offering hope to young people who are slipping through the cracks due to drugs and neglect.”
Joining the delegate from Liberia were Montserrado County, District #6 Representative, Samuel Enders, Bong County, District #6 Maima Briggs Mensah and Bomi County Senator Edwin Snowe, who chairs Liberia’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament. Snowe said the visit is part of a neutral parliamentary mission and has no connection to the August 7 rally.
“We’re not a part of the rally as an institution,” Snowe explained. “But we recognize and commend the efforts of the youth and civil society for raising their voices. Our goal is to gather information, understand what each country is doing, and push for a regional strategy.”
Meetings with Key Government Ministries
Since their arrival, the ECOWAS team has had talks with top officials in Liberia. The team met with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Bakri Nyei, welcomed the delegation.
Dr. Nyei praised ECOWAS for taking the lead on the issue, calling drug abuse a national emergency. He was joined by Assistant Minister Karishma Pelham-Raad during the discussions.
At the Ministry of Health, Minister Dr. Louise Kpoto said the government is committed to tackling the drug crisis and supports ECOWAS’ efforts.
“We’re moving in the right direction,” Dr. Gboto said. “We fully embrace this mission and will stand with our youth on August 7 to advocate for mental health reform.”
The delegation also met with Education Minister Jarso Maley Jallah, who described peer pressure and economic hardship as key reasons why students are turning to drugs. She called for stronger programs in schools and youth centers to reverse the trend.
“We must make drug use uncool,” she said. “Education must be part of the solution. This is a fight we must win in classrooms and communities.”
At the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Minister Gbeme Horace-Kollie emphasized the importance of family-based rehabilitation and community support.
“We are working with families and communities to help those affected by drugs,” Minister Horace-Kollie said. “It requires a full-circle approach — prevention, treatment, and reintegration.”
They, however, met the Minister of Youth and Sports, Jeror Cole Banggalu who also applauded the team for the timely engagement.
Engaging Communities and Youth
As part of their mission, the ECOWAS team is expected to visit several rehabilitation centers, ghettos, community groups, and youth organizations in Monrovia. These meetings will help inform a detailed report to be presented at the next ECOWAS Parliament session in Ghana.
“Our situational reviews in Liberia and across other Mano River Union states will form the basis of a report that we will present to Heads of State,” Snowe said. “We need a common front. If we don’t act now, this crisis will spiral further out of control.”
He also praised the strong cooperation from Liberian institutions throughout the visit.
“From the City Corporation to the Ministries of Health, Gender, Education, and Foreign Affairs — everyone has been welcoming and supportive,” Snowe noted.
Looking Ahead
Although the ECOWAS Parliament is not officially taking part in the August 7 rally, officials say any petitions or resolutions raised by the youth movement will be considered for inclusion in the broader regional report.
As Liberia continues to deal with the growing use of psychoactive drugs — especially among poor and urban youth — the presence of the ECOWAS delegation is being seen by many as a sign of hope.
“This mission could be the beginning of long-term reforms and deeper cooperation among West African nations,” said a civil society representative attending one of the meetings. “The drug war can’t be fought in silos — we need everyone on board.”
The ECOWAS’ delegation is expected to wrap up its visit with their findings which will feed into a regional roadmap designed to push for stronger laws, more resources, and coordinated action across ECOWAS countries.
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