Freetown, Sierra Leone, on May 28, 2025 – The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) celebrated its 50th Anniversary with a renewed sense of purpose and a powerful message of unity in Sierra Leone. The golden jubilee of the sub-regional body, formed on 28th May 1975 in Lagos, Nigeria, was marked with reflections on five decades of regional cooperation, development, and resilience, centred this year on the theme: “Stronger Together for a Brighter Future.”
The commemorative event took place at the Miatta Conference Centre in Freetown, bringing together government officials, civil society organisations, journalists, and school pupils from across the country. The inclusive gathering symbolised ECOWAS’s ongoing commitment to engage citizens, particularly the youth, in shaping the future of regional integration and development.
As the region looked back on its journey, Ambassador John Azumah, ECOWAS Resident Representative in Sierra Leone, underscored the evolution of the institution from a union of states to a union for people. Speaking on Tuesday, May 27, 2025, on the eve of the celebration, Ambassador Azumah highlighted the significant strides made by ECOWAS in improving the quality of life for West Africans through its programs in agriculture, education, health, trade, good governance, and democratic consolidation.
“ECOWAS is no longer just a union for governments. It is a people-driven organisation, and we are committed to working closely with the government of Sierra Leone, particularly the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development, to ensure that citizens understand and benefit from our mission,” Ambassador Azumah stated.
He pledged continued collaboration with key national institutions to expand public awareness of ECOWAS’s contributions and to deepen the organisation’s footprint in community development initiatives across member states.
In her keynote address, Sierra Leone’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Hon. Kenyeh Barlay, emphasised the significance of May 28th as more than a date on the calendar.
“It is a gentle reminder of our collective achievements and a call to renew our commitment to peace, stability, and economic integration,” she said. “ECOWAS has stood as a symbol of collective strength, embodying a vision of unity, cooperation, and shared development.”
Minister Barlay reaffirmed Sierra Leone’s strong commitment to regional integration and to national development priorities such as economic diversification, youth employment, and good governance. She aligned ECOWAS’s objectives with President Julius Maada Bio’s Big Five Game Changers, particularly in the areas of trade facilitation, climate resilience, and human capital investment.
“We must work together to deepen trade, enhance mobility across borders, and build a resilient, inclusive future for our young population,” she urged.
The event also served as a civic education platform, with pupils from various secondary schools engaging in interactive discussions on the relevance of ECOWAS in their daily lives and aspirations. Journalists and civil society leaders applauded the organisation’s efforts to include all sectors of society in its regional vision.
Over the past five decades, ECOWAS has transformed from a primarily economic bloc into a multifaceted regional body that also addresses political stability, peacekeeping, and democratic governance. From restoring constitutional order in crisis-hit nations to facilitating cross-border trade and educational exchanges, the institution has grown into a vital pillar of West African solidarity.
As Sierra Leone joins the rest of the region in commemorating this historic milestone, the call is clear: to continue forging ahead with a shared vision, drawing strength from collective action, and building a brighter, more prosperous future for all citizens of West Africa.
By: Tejan Macavoray
