MONROVIA โ The National Center for the Coordination of Response Mechanism (NCCRM), in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), convened a high-level validation workshop to review and finalize Liberiaโs Country Profile and Situation Assessment Report under the ECOWAS Protection and Human Security Integration Coordination Mechanism (ECOPHSICM).
Held at the Corina Hotel in Sinkor, Monrovia, the workshop brought together key stakeholders from government ministries and agencies, civil society, and regional partners. Participants included representatives from the Ministries of Finance and Development Planning; Justice; the Ministry of Internal Affairs; Gender, Children and Social Protection; the ECOWAS Commission; WANEP; the Liberia Peacebuilding Office (LPBO); the Liberia Land Authority; and the Childrenโs Parliament.
In his welcome remarks, Mr. Arthur Bestman, Acting Executive Director of NCCRM, urged participants to engage meaningfully. โLet us make this gathering impactfulโone that significantly contributes to the protection of human security in Liberia,โ he said.
Her Excellency Dr. Josephine Nkrumah, ECOWAS Resident Representative to Liberia, emphasized that ECOPHSICM is a national imperative. โThis mechanism is essential because it focuses on protecting the most vulnerable among us,โ she stated. โThis initiative should decentralize and be people-centered. ECOWAS is not just an ECOWAS of the statesโit is ECOWAS for the people.โ
Dr. Nkrumah further highlighted the need to coordinate actions and pool resources to address critical human security challenges including human trafficking, gender-based violence, crime, governance and human rights, pandemics, and environmental threats.
Speaking on behalf of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP), Mr. Philip Kollie reiterated WANEPโs longstanding collaboration with ECOWAS and pledged continued support in advancing human security efforts in Liberia.
Hon. Amos Tubor, representing the ECOWAS National Office and the Ministry of Finance and Development Planning, conveyed greetings from Hon. Augustine Kpehe Ngafuan, Minister of Finance and Development Planning. โLet us give our best to this validation process,โ Mr. Tubor urged. โWe are here on behalf of those who cannot be presentโthe most vulnerable in our society.โ
Following the opening session, the workshop proceeded with a presentation of the workshop overview by Madam Sophie MP Reeves, Acting Deputy Executive Director of NCCRM, and a presentation of the ECOPHSICM Action Plan by Mr. T. Debey Sayndee, Governance and Human Rights Analyst at NCCRM.
The Country Profile and Situation Assessment Report was presented by Madam Tennen B. Daileh Tehoungue, the lead consultant. She outlined the methodology, thematic areas, and provided recommendations for stakeholder consideration.
Participants then divided into thematic groups to review the report and provide constructive feedback, which will inform the final version of the document.
The workshop concluded with closing remarks from Madam Reeves, who reaffirmed NCCRMโs commitment to working with all stakeholders and development partners to enhance the protection of human security in Liberia using evidence from the validated assessment.
