Monrovia – The ECOWAS Mission in Liberia has launched what it terms a Cross-border Cooperation Support Program aimed at facilitating Free Movement and Migration within countries of the Mano River Union.
By J.H. Webster Clayeh (0886729972)[email protected]
The launch of the Cross-border Cooperation Support Program, held on Monday, brought together officials from the ECOWAS Mission’s office and officials of the Liberian Government. The ECOWAS Cross-Border Cooperation Program (ECBCSP) is a Regional Program developed through a decision of the Authority of Heads of State and Government in Niamey on January 12, 2006, during its 29th Ordinary Session.
The Program is a multi-sectoral development initiative that collaborates with border communities, national and local authorities, and civil society to ensure social regional construction and sustainable development.
It promotes regional peace and security, manages migration and free movement, and supports joint socio-economic development initiatives and local community empowerment projects, thereby strengthening cooperation, integration, and development across borders.
The implementation of the ECOWAS Cross-Border Cooperation Program is based on the provisions of the ECOWAS Revised Treaty, the Protocols on Free Movement of Persons, Goods, and Services; the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework (ECPF); and the ECOWAS Common Approach on Migration, and related ECOWAS Common Migration Frameworks.
The target beneficiaries of the ECBCSP include ECOWAS Member States, Border Management Agencies, Local Authorities, Municipalities, Multi-Country Cross-Border Cooperation Structures, Joint Commissions, Local NGOs, Civil Society Organizations, Women and Youth Groups, Media, and Media networks.
The areas of Program Intervention encompass Peace and Security (Conflict Prevention Management and Resolution), Migration, Free Movement, Trade, South-South decentralized cooperation in Sectoral areas of development (such as Agriculture, Breeding, Environment, and Natural Resources; Information, Education-Training, Capacity Building, Communication (IEC); Health, Water and Sanitation; Energy; Transport; Tourism, Culture, and Sports, among others).
Speaking at the launch, ECOWAS Resident Representative Josephine Nkrumah praised the Government of Liberia for its positive response to the regional call to establish a Technical Committee to address migration and development issues at the national level and to support regional efforts aimed at promoting the effective application of ECOWAS Protocols on Free Movement across borders. Ambassador Nkrumah stressed that the launch of the Cross-border Cooperation Support Program demonstrates Liberia’s keen interest, commitment, and support to advance the ECOWAS Integration Agenda.
The ECOWAS Resident Representative stated that the program’s overall objective is to strengthen cross-border cooperation among populations, states, and markets and to accelerate and deepen regional integration within ECOWAS.
“So far, nine Member States have launched their National Platforms, namely Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, and Togo. Following the launch of their National Platforms, the ECOWAS Commission disbursed a subvention of one hundred thousand US Dollars ($100,000.00) to each, enabling them to implement quick-gain Cross-border projects in border communities. To date, five out of nine Member States (Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, and Senegal) have successfully completed the ECBCSP projects that were financed,” Madam Nkrumah said.
Ambassador Nkrumah added: “In the same vein, after the launch of Liberia’s National Platform and the signing of a Framework of Cooperation Agreement between the ECOWAS Commission and Liberia, a subvention of USD100,000.00 (one hundred thousand US Dollars) will be disbursed to Liberia to kick-start immediate operations by implementing Cross-border projects in border communities in line with the objectives of the ECBCSP.”
Also speaking, the Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Regional Integration, Dr. Ibrahim Al-Bakri Nyei, said the ECOWAS Cross-Border Cooperation will link boundary lines with socioeconomic and cultural relations, especially between Liberia and Sierra Leone. This, he says, will also promote cross-border populations’ initiative in the service of peace, stability, and development.
According to Dr. Nyei, the Mano River Union region suffers from inadequate transport infrastructure and inefficient services, which is a major bottleneck to socio-economic development and integration.
He said, “ECOWAS is a region where Ports, Roads, Railways, and Airports still remain constraints despite significant recent progress made.”
The Deputy Minister added: “As you may be aware, the program document clearly states that the institutional mechanism for the implementation of the ERCBCSP relies on governance and implementing bodies at regional and local levels. The National Platforms (National Committees) come in fourth position in terms of decision-making in the implementation process after the Council of Ministers, the Sectorial Ministers and Experts, and the Zonal Committee.”
“The objective is to increase the competitiveness and efficiency of the main transport corridors in West Africa to boost international trade, which is a key factor of growth and contributor to poverty alleviation,” he said.