By Gloria Ikibah
Speaker of the Parliament of the Economic Community of West African States ECOWAS, Hon. Memounatou Ibrahima, has emphasized the importance policies that will enhance health and education for the development of the Sub-region.
Speaking at the opening of a delocalised meeting of the ECOWAS Parliament Joint Committee on Health/Education, Science and Culture/Telecommunications and Information Technology/Industry and Private Sector in Conakry, Republic of Guinea, Speaker Ibrahima highlighted the numerous challenges Member States face, including limited resources, inadequate health infrastructure, and significant health disparities.
The theme for the meeting is “Promoting Health Services and Education In West Africa: The Role of ECOWAS Parliament”, brings members of these committees to exchange experiences and best practices in advancing health and education across the region.
She said: “ECOWAS plays a key role in harmonizing health policies across Member States. However, challenges such as managing epidemics, coordinating efforts among countries, and adequately training health professionals persist.
“It is essential that we collaborate to overcome these obstacles and ensure that our citizens have access to quality healthcare and education.”
The Speaker underscored the importance of health education, describing it as a critical preventive measure aimed at reducing premature deaths related to diseases and accidents often linked to behavior and lifestyle choices. “By investing in health education, we empower our citizens to make informed decisions about their health and well-being,” she noted.
The Speaker also expressed her appreciation to the Guinean Government for the warm reception extended to the Parliament members.
“I extend my heartfelt gratitude to the highest authorities of this brotherly nation for the warm, typically African welcome we have received since arriving in Guinea. We are confident that this meeting will be successful and will contribute positively to the development of our region”, she added.
The recommendations from this meeting will be presented to the ECOWAS Parliament for consideration and possible implementation.