African Youth Network for Leadership & Development hosts 3rd Model ECOWAS summit in Accra

As part of activities for the ECOWAS Regional Integration Month in May 2018, African Youth Network for Leadership and Development will host the third (3rd) Model ECOWAS Summit in Accra, Ghana under the auspices of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration from Thursday May 31 to Saturday June 02, 2018.

The purpose of the summit is to among others enhance the policy of transforming ECOWAS from ‘’ECOWAS of States to ‘’ ECOWAS of People as well as create an avenue where the youth of ECOWAS member states can convene and be empowered to achieve higher goals aimed at promoting economic development and job creation through entrepre-neurship in the ECOWAS sub region.

The summit which is being held under the theme “A New West African Owned-Economy: Setting the agenda for new opportunities” is expected to bring together over 200 youths, civil society representatives from across the 15 of West African countries.

Activities lined up for the forum include: Cocktail Reception and the West Africa Youth Economic Forum. The main (folds) parts of the West Africa Youth Economic Forum are: Entrepreneurship and Investment forum, Agribusiness forum, Technology and Innovation forum.

Each forum will comprise of plenary session, Focus Group Sessions, Business-Business and Tech-Tech Session to help address issues affecting the youth in the areas of entrepreneurship, agriculture and technology and offer solutions to help the youth overcome the challenges.

The forum as an initiative is expected to bring together young entrepreneurs, policymakers and investors to support the growth of new and existing enterprises in West Africa as well as offer opportunities for networking, entrepreneurial idea/experience sharing, create partnerships and building relationships.

At the end of this high research based summit, participants are expected to gain the following key transferrable skills which will improve their problem solving and negotiating skills: Leadership potential/ability, diplomacy, team work and adaptable “Can do” attitude, analytical and conceptual skills, problem solving skills, Creativity/innovation, Strong communication skills (verbal and written), Strong interpersonal skills, Strategic thinking. Other benefits include(s): counselling and career guidance opportunities, internship opportunities, investment opportunities, business advisory and expansion support, access to online resource library, among others.



A picture of the delegates at the opening Plenary session of the summit in 2016