ECOWAS, Sierra Leone and Liberia Hands Over Construction Site for the New Border Post.

John Farfira Kamara

SLENA Correspondent

Ministry of Planning and Economic Development

Johnfarfirakamara@gmail.com

‪+23279185532‬

At the Jendema–Bo Waterside border between Sierra Leone and Liberia on 22nd November 2025, the Deputy Minister of Planning and Economic Development, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Titus Williams, joined senior government officials from Sierra Leone and Liberia, alongside the Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Damtien Tchintchibidja, for the groundbreaking and official handover of the construction site for the new Joint Border Post.

The event attracted key ministries and agencies from Sierra Leone—including MoPED, Foreign Affairs, Internal Affairs, and the Ministry of Works—alongside the Chief Justice of Liberia, ECOWAS Resident Representatives, and other major stakeholders.

Welcoming the delegation, Paramount Chief Mustapha Massaquoi of Sorogbema Chiefdom and the Chief of Bo Waterside praised ECOWAS for its timely intervention.

They reaffirmed their commitment to maintaining peace, security, and economic cooperation between the two communities.

P.C. Massaquoi further commended President Julius Maada Bio, Sierra Leone’s Ambassadors to Guinea and Liberia, and former Speaker of Parliament Mohamed Sidi Tunis for their roles in advancing regional integration.

Representing the Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Director of Research and Knowledge Management, Mr. Patrick Hassan Morlai Koroma, highlighted the strong bilateral ties between Sierra Leone and Liberia.

He emphasized that the new Joint Border Post would ease trade, facilitate regional mobility, and improve transport mechanisms with fewer barriers—addressing long-standing challenges faced by travelers and migrants across West Africa.

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Planning, Rev. Dr. Jonathan Titus Williams applauded President Bio’s leadership in advancing regional integration.

He urged the contractors to maintain professionalism and called on the community to protect the materials allocated for the project.

He underscored the Joint Border Post as a symbol of ECOWAS’ commitment to sustainable development, enhanced trade, security, and strengthened bilateral relations.

Rev. Dr. Williams reaffirmed the Government of Sierra Leone’s commitment through MoPED to ensure continued coordination of ECOWAS initiatives in both countries.

Liberia’s Chief Justice, His Honor Yamie Quiqui Gbeisay Sr., expressed Liberia’s dedication to strengthening regional cooperation.

He described the project as a crucial step toward promoting peace, security, economic advancement, and long-term collaboration between the two nations.

He extended appreciation to the ECOWAS Commission for ensuring the project becomes a reality.

Delivering the Keynote address, H.E. Damtien Tchintchibidja thanked the Presidents of Sierra Leone and Liberia for their support to ECOWAS.

She reiterated that the Jendema–Bo Waterside Joint Border Post aligns with ECOWAS Vision 2050, which promotes the seamless movement of goods and people, enhanced trade, and deeper economic integration.

She highlighted that the project is part of ECOWAS’ Regional Transport Facilitation Programme, which aims to reduce transit delays and strengthen cross-border connectivity.

She noted that ECOWAS continues to implement similar transformative border projects across West Africa, targeting improved economic cooperation and better living conditions for border communities.

The ECOWAS Vice President further assured the Government of Sierra Leone that the Jendema–Bo Waterside Joint Border Post is fully funded by the ECOWAS Commission as part of its broader regional integration agenda.