Africa-Press – Sierra-Leone. Members of the ECOWAS Parliament’s Health Committee visited Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation to discuss ways West African countries can work together to fight drug abuse, mental health problems, and youth issues.
The team was led by Hon. Orlando Pereira Dias and included Sierra Leone’s Deputy Chief Whip, Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay. The meeting took place on June 23, 2025. It focused on building stronger partnerships between countries like Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Guinea, and Liberia to deal with shared health and social problems.
Speaking at the Ministry’s Conference Room, Hon. Sesay said the visit is part of ECOWAS’s plan to work as one to improve public health, support young people, and bring peace to the region. She said it is important to bring people together, including governments, local groups, and those who have lived through addiction and mental health struggles.
The visit also looks at how drug use affects families and communities, and how lawmakers can work with health professionals and support groups to find real solutions.
Hon. Sesay said the fight against drugs must involve the whole community. Civil Society Organizations, treatment centers, and people who have recovered from drug use, including professionals, should all play a part. Their personal stories, she added, can help shape better plans to support children and communities who are most at risk.
As part of their visit, the Members of Parliament are also holding town hall meetings with key groups. These meetings are meant to listen to those affected, share information, and turn their ideas into action.
The Director General of the Ministry, Alan Logan, said the visit is an important step in learning more about the problem and making national plans that take mental health and drug use more seriously. He also said this work supports the ongoing State of Emergency in Sierra Leone and the recent launch of a Presidential Task Force.
He spoke about the need to stop the spread of drugs and help young people who are pulled into it because of poverty or unsafe living conditions. He said these issues must be included in both national and regional plans.
Members of Parliament across the region are also involved in helping people speak openly about mental health and drug use. They are encouraging people to come forward and get the help they need.
Hon. Orlando Pereira Dias said good health, both mental and physical, helps people take part in their communities. He called for stronger programs across West Africa to stop drug use before it starts. He pointed to poverty, joblessness, and lack of education as some of the main reasons people turn to drugs.
He said early action, open conversations, and the right support can help prevent long-term problems. He also said that working together across health, education, and social services is key to building stronger communities.
The visit is part of a growing effort to bring countries together and build a safer, healthier future for the people of West Africa.
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