By Claudia Redwood-Sawyerr
Campaign for Good Governance (CGG) has called on Sierra Leone to build on the momentum generated by the recently concluded ECOWAS Summit by strengthening civic education, promoting regional integration, and maintaining accountability in governance.
Speaking at the Ministry of Information and Civic Education’s weekly press conference on Tuesday 21st July 2026, Executive Director Marcella Samba Sesay said the successful hosting of the ECOWAS Summit should serve as the beginning of a broader national conversation rather than the conclusion of a single event.
“Successfully hosting ECOWAS was only the beginning. We now have a post-Summit responsibility,” she said.
Madam Samba Sesay stressed that one of the Summit’s most important outcomes was creating greater public awareness about ECOWAS, particularly among young Sierra Leoneans.
“For many young people, this was the first time they had an opportunity to engage in conversations about ECOWAS. That discussion must continue because regional integration cannot remain an abstract concept,” she noted.
She explained that in an increasingly interconnected world, regional cooperation has become essential to addressing common challenges such as security, trade, development, and economic growth.
According to her, the adoption of the ECOWAS Compact for the Future and the implementation of Vision 2050 represent a significant shift towards an “ECOWAS of the People,” where citizens, not just governments, become central to regional integration and development.
She also highlighted President Julius Maada Bio’s message that “countries achieve greater progress by pursuing clear priorities with responsibility” describing the statement as one of the Summit’s key governance lessons.
From the perspective of civil society, Samba said organisations such as Campaign for Good Governance have an important responsibility to sustain public engagement after major national events.
“Our role is to ensure that these conversations continue. We keep important national issues on the public agenda and remind government of the commitments it has made,” she said.
She added that Sierra Leone should now apply the same level of coordination, leadership, and commitment demonstrated during the ECOWAS Summit to other national development priorities.
“If we identify the critical reforms that can transform this country and pursue them with the same seriousness demonstrated during the Summit, Sierra Leone’s development can accelerate significantly,” Samba concluded.