Ministry of Education Warmly Welcomes ECOWAS Health Committee Delegation on Courtesy Visit.
By: Prince B. Miller
August 5, 2025
Monrovia, Liberia
Strengthening Regional Cooperation to Combat Drug Abuse and Promote Mental Health
The Ministry of Education today warmly received a high-level delegation from the ECOWAS Committee on Health during a courtesy visit aimed at fostering regional collaboration in the fight against drug and substance abuse, and promoting mental health awareness among youth.
Held at the Ministry’s central office within the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Ministerial Complex in Congo Town, Monrovia, the visit underscored ECOWAS’s strong commitment to integrating mental health support systems within educational and community structures across West Africa.
Call for Collective Action
Dr. Olando Dias Perreira, Chairman of the ECOWAS Health Committee, emphasized the urgent need to address the escalating crisis of drug abuse among the region’s youth.
> “This is not just a public health issue—it is a regional development emergency. ECOWAS is working to establish legal and policy frameworks across member states to combat this threat,” he stated.
Liberia’s Strong Commitment
Minister of Education, Dr. Jarso Maley Jallah, graciously welcomed the delegation and reaffirmed Liberia’s unwavering commitment to this critical initiative.
> “Drug abuse is a global challenge. We must act collectively, through strategic partnerships, to protect and empower our youth,” Minister Jallah emphasised.
She further stated that the concluding report will communicate the situational analysis from their visit, which will form part of the guidance needed to advance the "say no drugs campaign"—strengthening Liberia’s role in advancing regional cooperation.
Stakeholders in Attendance
The meeting brought together prominent national leaders and officials, including:
Senator Edwin Melvin Snowe (Bomi County)
Hon. Samuel Enders
Hon. Maima Briggs Mensah
Dr. Samuel Toe, Deputy Minister for Planning, Research & Development
Hon. Amos A. Fully, Deputy Minister for Instruction
Hon. Nyenkeh Y. Forkpa, Deputy Minister for Administration
Other ECOWAS Health Committee representatives
The Ministry of Education commends ECOWAS for its visionary leadership and reaffirms its dedication to fostering joint efforts to address public health challenges affecting the region’s youth.
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