The ECOWAS Volunteer Programme in Sierra Leone has concluded the three-year assignments of nine volunteers who served in various communities and institutions across the country from 2023 to 2026, particularly in the health and education sectors.
According to a statement published on the ECOWAS website, the end-of-service ceremony was held at the Ministry of Planning and Economic Development in Freetown and attended by government officials, ECOWAS representatives, supervisors, host institutions and other stakeholders.
The ceremony was chaired by the Deputy Development Secretary II and Head of the ECOWAS National Office, Komba Momoh, who recognised the volunteers for their valuable contributions to their host institutions.
The ECOWAS Volunteer Programme Country Coordinator, Preaches Gbessagee, delivered a farewell message on behalf of Francis Njoaguani, Director of the ECOWAS Youth and Sports Development Centre. He thanked the volunteers for their service and encouraged them to remain connected to the ECOWAS community.
The ECOWAS Resident Representative, Ambassador John Azumah, described the volunteers as “Ambassadors of ECOWAS” and urged them to continue serving their communities, maintain the relationships they built in Sierra Leone and pursue future opportunities within the regional organisation.
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Sierra Leone’s Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Kenyeh Barlay, also commended the volunteers for their “dedication, selfless service and positive impact” on schoolchildren, patients, young people and communities.
Barlay said their service represented an important contribution to regional solidarity, peace, development and integration.
Speaking on behalf of the volunteers, Obinna Ziba expressed appreciation to the ECOWAS Commission, host institutions, supervisors, coordinators and other stakeholders for their support throughout their assignments.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of certificates and locally made Sierra Leonean traditional outfits to the nine outgoing volunteers in recognition of their three years of dedicated service.
The programme marked the completion of the volunteers’ assignments while celebrating their lasting contributions to Sierra Leone and ECOWAS’ efforts to strengthen regional integration.
