The Government of Liberia, in collaboration with Civil Society, has validated the ECOWAS Protection and Human Security Integrated Coordination Mechanism here.
By: Lewis S. Teh
Monrovia, Liberia, June 2, 2025 – Various stakeholders from line ministries, agencies and commissions, including Civil Society leaders and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) have ended a one day validation meeting to adopt the Situation Assessment and Analysis Report of the ECOWAS Protection and Human Security Integrated Coordination Mechanism (ECO-PHSICM) in Liberia.
The meeting, which took place in Monrovia at the weekend, was conducted under the auspices of the National Center for the Coordination of Response Mechanism (NCCRM), marked a significant step toward improving Liberia’s protection and human security frameworks.
The report provides a comprehensive overview of the current human security landscape in the country. It highlights vulnerabilities affecting various population groups—particularly women, children, refugees, and internally displaced persons—and examines existing institutional responses. It also outlines key recommendations aimed at enhancing coordination mechanisms for better protection outcomes.
Despite the establishment of legislative frameworks and national policies, the report notes that Liberia continues to face challenges in implementation due to limited resources, weak institutional capacity, and coordination gaps.
In his remarks, Mr. Arthur Bestman, Executive Director of NCCRM, emphasized that the assessment identifies critical intervention areas and recommends strategies to enhance protection through effective multi-stakeholder coordination, in alignment with ECOWAS and international standards.
He noted that the report is designed to align with the ECO-PHSICM framework, enabling regional comparisons and collaborative efforts. It draws from key ECOWAS reference texts such as the Revised Treaty, the Protocol on Conflict Prevention, and the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework.
Mr. Bestman described the assessment as a pivotal examination of Liberia’s multifaceted post-conflict challenges, including socio-economic vulnerabilities. He also outlined the methodology and broader context that shaped the report’s development.
He recalled the launch of ECO-PHSICM in Liberia during a high-level advocacy and capacity-building meeting in September 2022. Following the launch, a roadmap was adopted to enhance human security, with NCCRM designated as the program’s secretariat.
Subsequent technical support workshops, including one held from July 1–3, 2024, helped identify priority areas for immediate action. Bestman encouraged all stakeholders to contribute their insights to strengthen the final national document.
Speaking at the event, Madam Josephine Nkrumah, ECOWAS Resident Representative to Liberia, highlighted the national significance of the validation exercise, stressing its relevance to every Liberian.
“What is most important today is that this effort is a national endeavor. Your voices, insights, and expertise are crucial to ensuring that this report addresses the very heart of human protection and national security,” she stated.
Madam Nkrumah called for collective action, robust engagement, and increased financial support to address the root causes of conflict. She reiterated that ECOWAS’ role is grounded in conflict resolution, democracy, and good governance.
She further emphasized that ECOWAS protocols focus on critical human protection issues—including trafficking, child protection, gender-based violence, and humanitarian law—which are essential for building a resilient society.
“Our consultant’s presentation today will guide deeper discussions. Even as we validate this report, we must identify challenges, strengths, and overlapping responsibilities to enhance coordination,” she added.
Madam Nkrumah urged the Liberian government, particularly the Ministry of Internal Affairs, to lead efforts in decentralizing the national agenda. She underscored the need for protection interventions to reach communities across the country.
She called for collective efforts from all stakeholders, including security institutions, to treat the validation process with urgency and seriousness.
Also delivering remarks, Mr. Philip M. Kollie, National Network Coordinator of the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP-Liberia), stressed the importance of collaborative efforts to validate and implement the report as a policy tool for addressing human security and sectoral challenges.
“This document will help strengthen our systems and protect the most vulnerable in society,” he said.
Following its validation and adoption, the final report will be submitted to the Government of Liberia through Vice President Jeremiah Kpan Koung and ECOWAS for further action. Editing by Jonathan Browne
