The ECOWAS Commission Resident Representative to Liberia, Josephine Nkrumah has cautioned young volunteers under the institution’s flagship program to avoid politics or political affiliations ahead of the country’s October 10, 2023 Presidential and Representatives elections.
Recently, Nine ECOWAS volunteers from Liberia, Nigeria, Ghana, and Sierra Leone were inducted to champion peace and development across the country, and they are assigned to teach several disciplines in various high schools across the country.
The new volunteers are the fourth badge since the end of the civil unrest in Liberia, which ushered in a new democratic space with citizens.
Accordingly, the ECOWAS volunteerism program, which was birthed out of conflict in both Liberia and Sierra Leone, has provided the opportunity for young people within the ECOWAS region to volunteer their services to these countries and help boost peaceful co-existence.
Speaking during the opening of the induction and training workshop, Ms. Nkrumah said volunteers must remember that they are ambassadors and must abide by the core values of the ECOWAS principle.
She maintained, “We are in an era in Liberia where we will be going to elections soon. As much as possible and in accordance with the ECOWAS principles, our regulations, and our values, please be as apolitical as possible.
“You are not here to become political agents for any party. Whatever your views are in terms of politics must remain with you. Also, do not come and refresh your political affiliations or your political leniency, but remain apolitical and do your work as effectively as possible, she said.
Madam Nkrumah also encouraged the volunteers to build social cohesion amongst the people in those different counties, disclosing that as ECOWAS volunteers; they should also build capacity development and add value to the human capital in diverse fields as they serve.
“There are issues that cause divisive tendencies. You must build social cohesion there. So what you teach must build cohesion. The truth universal value of discipline, honesty, nation-building, patriotism must and must also be full of the young children that you teach,” she added.
Meanwhile, several of the volunteers extolled the ECOWAS commission for the knowledge sharing thus assured that they will maintained their the neutrality in the country’s upcoming general elections.