MONROVIA, LIBERIA–The West Africa Youth Assembly (WAYA) is calling on the ECOWAS Parliament to ensure the institutionalized inclusion of youth institutions in all its programs and decision-making processes across member states, following contrasting experiences during two major ECOWAS Parliament events hosted by Liberia this year.

From June 16-20, 2025, Liberia hosted the ECOWAS Parliament Delocalized Meeting of the Joint Committee on Administration, Finance, and Budget at the RLJ Hotel in Monrovia.

The meeting focused on macroeconomic policy coordination, fiscal accountability, youth empowerment, and job creation—critical issues that directly affect the future of young people in West Africa.

However, youth bodies such as the West Africa Youth Assembly and other National Youth institutions were not invited to participate or observe, despite the relevance of the discussions to their constituencies.

On August 4-8, 2025, Liberia again hosted the ECOWAS Parliament—this time for the Sensitization Outreach Mission on Psychoactive Substance Abuse and Mental Health.

On this occasion, youth participation was not only encouraged but fully integrated into the program from planning to execution.

This inclusive approach, which actively engaged youth leaders and institutions, was widely recognized as a key reason for the program’s success.

WAYA commends Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe Jr., Head of Liberia’s Delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, for his bold statement at the August 6, 202,5 ECOWAS Parliament Dialogue on Illicit Drugs, assuring that youth institutions will henceforth be part of ECOWAS Parliament activities.

This commitment represents a major step toward giving young people a genuine voice in shaping policies that affect them.

“Excluding youth from decision-making limits the relevance and sustainability of policies. Including youth voices ensures that programs are vibrant, community-driven, and impactful,” said Amb Emmanuel Chea, Regional Chairman of WAYA.

“We are ready to work constructively with ECOWAS to ensure that no decision about the youth is taken without the youth.”

WAYA calls on ECOWAS-Cedeao, national governments, and development partners to formalize youth participation in all stages of policy formulation, deliberation, and implementation, particularly on matters directly affecting young people.