By Gloria Ikibah
The ECOWAS Parliament will this week launch a major grassroots campaign in The Gambia and Senegal to raise awareness of the dangers of irregular migration and modern slavery, amid growing concern over the increasing number of young West Africans embarking on perilous journeys in search of better opportunities.
In a statement by the Chief Communication Officer of the ECOWAS Parliament, Uchenna Duru-Nwaotule, it stated that the initiative is themed “One Journey, Many Risks. Ask First, Move Safely”, will be held in Banjul from 6 to 10 July before moving to Dakar from 13 to 17 July. 
According to the regional parliament, the exercise will bring lawmakers into direct contact with young people, returnees, community leaders, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to discuss the risks associated with irregular migration and human trafficking.
The parliament said the engagement was designed to deepen public understanding of one of West Africa’s most pressing socio-economic and security challenges.
It noted that worsening unemployment, poverty, insecurity and limited economic opportunities continue to push many young people into dangerous migration routes across land and sea.
“Irregular migration remains one of the most pressing socio-economic and human security challenges confronting West Africa.
“Driven by unemployment, poverty, limited economic opportunities, insecurity and aspirations for better livelihoods, many young people undertake perilous migration journeys through unsafe land and maritime routes, exposing them to exploitation, trafficking in persons, forced labour, sexual exploitation, debt bondage and other forms of modern slavery”, the statement read.
The parliament observed that both The Gambia and Senegal continue to face the consequences of irregular migration as countries of origin, transit and return.
It said the campaign aims to educate vulnerable communities, while giving Members of Parliament a clearer understanding of the factors driving migration and the challenges faced by victims and returnees.
“The engagement seeks to sensitize young people and vulnerable communities on these risks, provide Members of Parliament with first-hand insight into the drivers and consequences of irregular migration, promote dialogue between parliamentarians and citizens, and generate practical recommendations to strengthen national and regional prevention, protection and reintegration efforts”, it added.
Activities in The Gambia will begin with a courtesy visit to the Minister of Interior, followed by a stakeholders’ briefing involving the ECOWAS Resident Representative, the Gambian delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, the International Organization for Migration and the National Agency Against Trafficking in Persons.
The programme will also feature a series of community town hall meetings in Bakau, Brikama and Barra, where parliamentarians will engage residents through local-language awareness sessions, testimonies from returnees and survivors, and interactive discussions.
As part of efforts to reach young people through sport, organisers will also stage a community football event in Bakau under the campaign slogan, “One Journey, Many Risks. Ask First, Move Safely.”
The Gambian leg will conclude with a debriefing session on 10 July to review key findings and consolidate recommendations.
The second phase of the campaign will take place in Dakar, where lawmakers will engage youth groups, students, returnees, community organisations and public institutions through town hall meetings, public discussions and media outreach.
According to the ECOWAS Parliament, both engagements will rely heavily on interactive dialogue, question-and-answer sessions, as well as radio, television and community media platforms to encourage widespread public participation and strengthen awareness of the dangers associated with irregular migration and modern slavery.
