By Nasratu Kargbo
Member of Parliament from Moyamba District Veronica Kadie Sesay has been elected President of the Economic Community of West African States Female Parliamentary Association (ECOFEPA) to serve the bureau in the bloc’s 6th legislature.
Members of the new executive were presented at the ECOFEPA regional summit held in Freetown, Sierra Leone where their First Vice President handed over the baton to them on the 9th February 2024.
Delivering her keynote address Sierra Leone’s First Lady Fatima Maada Bio expressed excitement having a Sierra Leonean as President of ECOFEPA. “We pledge our commitment to assure you of our solidarity dear Hon. Veronica Kadie Sesay. We pledge our commitment today to give your office the desired support and assistant needed to make you surpass the wishes and aspiration of ECOFEPA”, she said.
She said that the outgoing ECOWAS Speaker Mohamed Sidi Tunis was leaving and with Sesay coming in, she entreated her to carry the country’s flag and represent the nation well.
“Congratulations, on behalf of myself and all the women of Sierra Leone we are very proud of you”, the first lady stated.
She noted it is clear that ECOFEPA has systematically become the authentic voice for women and youths’political emancipation in the region and praised on the outgoing ECOWAS Speaker for his contribution to causes that are related to women and youths. Bio said that Tunis made remarkable achievements at the ECOWAS parliament which has made the country proud and admired, she mentioned that under his tenure he made sure the female association is recognized and special budgetary allocation was made for them annually.
The First lady added that Tunis will forever be remembered by many women and youth across the region for approving the participation of underprivileged people at every parliamentary session and other ECOWAS activities, ensuring the availability of flight tickets and daily allowances for invited participants.
“Thank you Mr. Tunis for your service not only to Sierra Leone but to Africa”, Madam Bio said.
Addressing the executive before handing over the baton, ECOFEPA’s first Vice President Senator Biodun Christine Olujimi called on them to work in the interest of women and youths in the region, noting that these categories of people are the bedrock of whatever ECOFEPA stands for.
Olujimi said she believes they will do better than what the outgone executive might have done during their tenure. She congratulated them and wished them well.
The executive comprises women from Cape Verde, Cote d’Iviore, Nigeria, the Gambia, Togo and Sierra Leone.
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