The ECOWAS Parliament has urged member states to prioritize healthcare and education, emphasizing the need for improved services across West Africa.
During the ongoing parliamentary session in Lagos, Nigeria, a report presented by the joint committee highlighted key recommendations from a delocalized meeting held in Conakry, Guinea, from September 3-7, 2024. Themed “Promoting Health Services and Education in West Africa: The Role of the ECOWAS Parliament,” the meeting focused on strengthening policies and investments in these critical sectors.
The gathering brought together members from multiple committees, including Health, Education, Science and Agriculture, Telecommunications and Information Technology, and Industry and Private Sectors. Parliamentarians assessed progress, identified challenges, and discussed strategies for advancing health and education across the region.
Key Recommendations
A major takeaway from the meeting was the call for parliamentarians to take an active role in shaping and supporting national health and education policies in their respective countries.
The joint committee also stressed the importance of community engagement, recommending that ECOWAS Parliament members lead awareness campaigns to educate local populations—particularly in rural areas where school enrollment, healthcare access, and telecommunications infrastructure remain inadequate.
“As part of their legislative role, members of Parliament are called upon to propose or vote on bills designed to bring national legislation in line with Community provisions,” the report stated.
At the national level, the report advocates for increased budget allocations to health in line with the 2001 Abuja Declaration, in which African governments committed to dedicating at least 15% of their national budgets to healthcare.
Parliamentarians expressed broad support for the report’s recommendations before officially adopting it.