Liberia wins bid to host ECOWAS Youth & Sports Development Centre
The Republic of Liberia is pleased to announce, via the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that it has officially secured the opportunity to host the ECOWAS Youth & Sports Development Centre (EYSDC), an important regional institution under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). This decision was reached after a competitive selection process initiated by the ECOWAS Commission, prompted by recent institutional relocations due to the withdrawal of certain Member States from the regional bloc.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which spearheaded Liberia’s bid to host one of the vacated ECOWAS institutions, expressed its gratitude and a renewed sense of national pride upon receiving this news. Liberia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, H.E. Sara Beysolow Nyanti, conveyed her sincere appreciation to the ECOWAS member states.
“This is a historic moment for Liberia. We are honored to be entrusted with hosting the EYSDC and reaffirm our commitment to regional integration and youth empowerment,” stated Foreign Minister Nyanti.
The Foreign Minister acknowledged the crucial role played by President Joseph Nyuma Boakai, Sr., the principal architect of Liberia’s foreign policy, whose steadfast support was vital to the success of the bid. She expressed her gratitude to His Excellency for his direct involvement with the vetting team that visited Liberia to evaluate the country’s preparedness. Additionally, she recognized Deputy Minister for International Cooperation and Economic Integration, Dr. Ibrahim Nyei, and his team for their strategic leadership throughout the process. Special thanks were also given to Cllr. Cole Bangalu, Minister of Youth and Sports, for ensuring that the technical components of Liberia’s proposal demonstrated the country’s readiness to host such a significant institution.
She also praised Mr. Morley Kamara, the Economic Advisor to the President, for his assistance with the bidding process, ensuring it aligns with Liberia’s broader economic diplomacy objectives. The General Services Agency (GSA) received acknowledgment for its proficient coordination and management of the logistical and infrastructural aspects included in Liberia’s application. The Minister further conveyed gratitude to Senator Edwin Snowe for his efforts in advocating for Liberia to pursue the hosting of a regional institution.
As a background, Liberia had shown interest in hosting three out of four ECOWAS institutions, specifically the West Africa Health Organization (WAHO), the ECOWAS Youth & Sports Development Centre (EYSDC), and the Water Resources Coordination Centre (WRCC), which were previously situated in Member States that have left the regional bloc. Among the 12 countries eligible to bid, Côte d’Ivoire was chosen to host WAHO, Guinea will host the WRCC, and Guinea-Bissau will host the RAHC. Liberia’s selection as the host for the EYSDC represents a notable accomplishment in its regional engagement and diplomatic efforts.
This successful bid not only elevates Liberia’s status within the ECOWAS community but also promises long-term advantages in youth engagement, education, sports diplomacy, job creation, and regional visibility. The Government of Liberia reaffirms its commitment to ensuring a seamless and timely transition of the Centre’s operations and infrastructure to Monrovia and urges development partners and stakeholders to assist in the next phase of implementation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs will persist in identifying and maximizing every opportunity for repositioning and rebranding Liberia.
