ABANTU for Development is proud to announce that we have been selected as one of the 22 youth observers participating in the ECOWAS Youth Election Observation Mission (EOM) in Côte d’Ivoire!

This pioneering initiative by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) marks a significant step towards integrating young people into the democratic governance processes of the sub-region. The project underscores ECOWAS’s commitment to enhancing youth participation and leadership in electoral observation and peacebuilding across West Africa.

Representing ABANTU on this mission is our Programme Officer, Jacqueline Kyei-Baffour, who recently completed an intensive five-day training course on Electoral Observation Methodologies, ECOWAS Frameworks, and the Principles of Impartiality. During the training, Jacqueline shared insights from ABANTU’s intergenerational initiatives with youth movements in Ghana, highlighting the gendered dimensions of elections and the importance of empowering young women to actively participate in electoral observation and advocacy.

This milestone reflects ABANTU’s unwavering dedication to gender equality, peacebuilding, and inclusive governance. Through our involvement in this mission, we aim to strengthen regional networks, exchange knowledge, and amplify young women’s voices in shaping democratic processes.

As the ECOWAS Youth Election Observation Mission enters its debriefing and deployment phase, we look forward to the lessons, experiences, and collaborative impact this initiative will bring, advancing our collective vision for a more just, inclusive, and gender-responsive West Africa.