(Monrovia, Liberia)–A high-level delegation from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), led by Bomi County Senator Edwin M. Snowe, paid a courtesy visit to Liberia’s Minister of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Gbeme Horace Kollie. The visit was part of ECOWAS’s regional mission to assess national responses to the growing threat of drug and substance abuse, particularly among the youth population.
Senator Snowe, accompanied by Representative Moima Briggs Mensah and Representative Samuel Enders, explained that the ECOWAS Parliament is currently touring member states to better understand the strategies being employed to combat drug abuse and to promote a unified legal and policy framework across West Africa.
“This mission is to assess the approaches adopted by different West African countries and to work toward a unified response to drug and substance abuse,” Senator Snowe noted, referencing similar engagements in Guinea and Sierra Leone earlier this year.
In welcoming the delegation, Minister Gbeme Horace-Kollie lauded ECOWAS for the regional initiative and underscored that drug abuse is not only a public health and security concern, but also a major gender and social protection issue.
She emphasized the Ministry’s focus on addressing the unique vulnerabilities faced by women, children, and at-risk youth, many of whom are disproportionately affected by the consequences of substance abuse.
“Our mandate is to ensure that no vulnerable group is left behind,” Minister Kollie stated. “Drug abuse contributes to sexual exploitation, domestic violence, school dropouts, and child neglect. It threatens the very fabric of family and community life.”
She also emphasized the need for greater investment in prevention, early intervention, and family-centered recovery programs.
Minister Kollie expressed strong support for ECOWAS’s efforts to harmonize drug control strategies and policies across member states. She highlighted that transnational collaboration is vital to addressing the root causes of drug abuse, such as poverty, trauma, and lack of access to education and employment.
“We must approach this issue as a shared responsibility across the region. The Ministry of Gender is ready to contribute to a collective, compassionate, and coordinated response,” she affirmed.
