Speaker Tunis praised ECOFEPA for firmly reinforcing the need to mentor the next generation of decision-makers to bridge existing gaps and bestow sound political and decision-making legacies to them
Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Dr Sidie Mohammed Tunis, has pledged his unflinching support for the Economic Community of Female Parliamentarians Association Network (ECOFEPA) in its attempt to increase participation for self-development in politics and entrepreneurship.
Tunis made the assertion at the formal opening of the Women and Youth Leadership Symposium on the sidelines of the ECOWAS Parliament’s Extraordinary Session, which formally closed on February 1 in Guinea Bissau, under the theme: ‘Unleashing the potentials of Women and Youth in Politics and Entrepreneurship.’
Asserting that the meeting epitomises the action stage for women’s involvement in decision-making bodies, he further commended ECOFEPA for always supporting activities that affect women and youth in the ECOWAS Sub-region.
Speaker Tunis praised ECOFEPA for firmly reinforcing the need to mentor the next generation of decision-makers to bridge existing gaps and bestow sound political and decision-making legacies to them, reaffirming that as Members of Parliament, until they replicate themselves in the younger generation in multiple dimensions to deliver a democratic system anchored on good governance, societal growth and development, they cannot credit themselves for success.
He also pointed out that the event amplifies ECOFEPA’s deliberate resolve to pursue the dreams of its founding Members consistently and recommends that Members of Parliament track the generational transfer of knowledge, skills and all it takes to tackle the challenges of the future ahead.
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The 2nd Vice President of ECOFEPA, Madam Gabriella Fernandes, in her remarks revealed that resources mobilised by the ECOWAS Commission would allow the association to host its upcoming symposium this March in Togo.
She further emphasised that the Guinea Bissau Symposium will spark the beginning of efforts to launch their projects and synchronise activities in the areas of leadership and entrepreneurship, which have the propensity to slingshot women’s advancement into decision-making in the ECOWAS region.
The event provided an opportunity for members of the association to interact with young political aspirants who are desirous of effecting change in their communities and larger societies within the West African region.
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Speaking earlier, the Youth Representative for the West Africa Youth Assembly, Mamadu Djalo, said everyone is aware of the social pressure and barriers that women and youth face daily in trying to climb up to political power and employed men in Africa who control the political powers, to ensure that such power is balanced.
Djalo called for the creation of the Youth Parliament arm in the ECOWAS region whilst expressing concern over the isolation of women and youth for a long period of time.
She further emphasised the need for the men to work together with both youth and women so as to create that sense of belonging, as the deliberations cannot be realistic without their participation.
