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The Head of Sierra Leone’s Delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay, who also serves as the Deputy Chief Whip I of the Parliament of Sierra Leone, on Thursday, 23rd July 2026, formally tabled the Report of the 2026 First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament before the House for consideration.
Presenting the report, Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay informed the House that, in accordance with Standing Order 18(6) of the Revised Standing Orders of Parliament, 2006, she was laying on the Table of the House the report of the 2026 First Ordinary Session of the ECOWAS Parliament, which was held from 4th to 17th May 2026 in Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria.
She further stated that, pursuant to Standing Order 18(7), she wished to provide Honourable Members with a brief explanatory statement on the contents of the report.
Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay explained that, in line with Article 27(2) of Supplementary Act A/SA.1/12/16, the ECOWAS Parliament convened its First Ordinary Session of 2026 in Abuja to deliberate on critical issues affecting the West African sub-region. She noted that the regional Parliament holds two Ordinary Sessions annually to fulfil its statutory mandate of promoting regional integration, democratic governance, peace, security, and sustainable development across ECOWAS Member States.
She emphasized that the sessions provide an important platform for regional legislators to conduct legislative oversight, provide policy advice to ECOWAS institutions, respond to emerging regional challenges, and strengthen engagement with civil society and other stakeholders in advancing the objectives of the Community.
Additionally, she informed Parliament that the 2026 First Ordinary Session deliberated extensively on many strategic regional issues, including country reports on the political and environmental situations in Member States, as well as the implementation status of Community texts and development projects.
The session also considered the Report of the President of the ECOWAS Commission on the implementation of the Community Work Programme, reflecting progress made by the Commission in executing its regional development agenda.
Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay further disclosed that Members debated measures aimed at advancing gender equality, increasing women’s political participation, and promoting the empowerment of women and girls through the ECOFEPA Programme.
The report further highlighted discussions on the Draft Additional Act on the operationalisation of the ECOWAS Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC), aimed at strengthening citizen participation and enhancing the role of civil society in the regional integration process.
