News:
April 14, 2026
LOMÉ, Togo – A member of Liberia’s delegation to the ECOWAS Parliament, Samuel Reagen Enders, is calling for the creation of a dedicated bank for women and young entrepreneurs across West Africa.
According to Enders, the region’s youth and women are the two groups best positioned to drive and accelerate development.
He made the remarks in an interview during a joint delocalized meeting of the ECOWAS Parliament in Lomé, Togo. At the same event, George Ricketts Kweku Hagan, chairman of the Parliament’s Education Committee, revealed that Ghana has already adopted a policy to establish a women’s bank as part of its entrepreneurship agenda.
“We should be intentional”
Enders emphasized that women are the backbone of homes across the sub-region but struggle to access funding. Similarly, he noted, youth are the strong pillars of the region yet face the same financial challenges.
“We have women and youth who do not even have bank accounts,” Enders said. “How do they get funds to start and expand their businesses? Without collateral, it’s difficult to secure loans. We need to be intentional about solving this, not just talk about it.”
He proposed that the ECOWAS Development Bank could serve as a starting point
“We should have a bank in the sub-region to address the needs of young entrepreneurs and women. If we are serious, we can begin through the ECOWAS Development Bank. They have an account, and we can help open borders within the sub-region for them to do business.”
Cross-border education and implementation
Enders also stressed the need for greater education among women and youth about cross-border travel requirements.
“Before you leave Monrovia for Guinea, you should have your passport and the necessary documents. Some people think, ‘I am from Togo, so I can just walk straight through the borders.’ That’s not how it works.”
He pointed to Nigeria’s population of over 300 million as a major business opportunity the region can tap into.
“We must go beyond talking. We need to ensure that the outcomes of our delocalized meetings are implemented. The time we spend should not be wasted—it must be applied for the good of every ECOWAS citizen in the sub-region.”
Kwaku Sakyi-Danso / Ghanamps.com