Young people from across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have issued a powerful call for meaningful inclusion in political decision-making, demanding that their voices be heard and their rights fully respected.
At the Regional Youth Conference held in Saly, Senegal, from July 1 to 3, participants urged regional leaders to end what they describe as the sacrifice of an entire generation.
Gathered under the theme “Committing ECOWAS to a new vision of youth,” delegates adopted a final declaration demanding a “new social contract for West African youth” and called on ECOWAS to “translate into action the recognition of youth as a pillar of development.”
Central to their demands is the “effective and concrete participation of young people in political decisions that affect their present and their future,” with a strong insistence on being “duly represented in local, national and regional decision-making bodies.”
The declaration also sets out specific governance priorities.
Youth delegates urge member states to allocate at least 3% of their national budgets to youth-focused initiatives, highlighting the need for “effective decentralization” to reduce regional inequalities.
They call for the rapid establishment of the West African Regional Youth Council and the ECOWAS Youth Parliament, alongside the full operationalization of the Economic, Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC).
Recognizing security challenges such as terrorism and organized crime, the youth stressed the importance of stronger regional cooperation and demanded their active involvement in prevention efforts.
Education reform is another urgent priority, with calls for massive investment in technical and vocational training and enhanced partnerships between academic institutions and the private sector to improve employment prospects.
The conference also highlighted inclusion, urging ECOWAS states to harmonize policies for people with disabilities and ensure their meaningful participation.
Entrepreneurship took centre stage, with a demand for a regional fund to support youth-led innovative initiatives and a safer environment for business startups.
“The future of ECOWAS is being played out today,” the youth concluded, pledging to remain “at the heart of this transformation” and demanding that their “rights, ideas and potential be fully valued.”
About The Author
