By Melvin Tejan Mansaray
The Executive Director of Inspired to Lead Initiatives Jeremiah Agala, has following the presentation of a meritorious award praised the Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament, Rt. Hon. Hadja Memounatou Ibrahima for her exceptional and inspirational leadership of the Community Parliament.
The award which was presented on Thursday 7th May, 2026 was presented during the ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA) Executive Master Class Programme held at the ECOWAS Parliament, International Conference Center Area 10 Abuja, Nigeria.
Speaking in an exclusive interview with this Writer on the essence of the award, Agala said that Inspire to Lead Initiatives is about raising the next generation of leaders.
“We are targeted at raising youth of influence and women of relevance that will take over the entrepreneurship and leadership space in the nearest future, ” he disclosed.
Agala explained that they are empowering women and youth at every point in time with the necessary skills and tools that they need to thrive.
He said:
” One of the things we do in doing our work is also to celebrate those who are doing exceptionally well at this point while encouraging the next generation.”
He maintained that the Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament is doing exceptionally well.
” As the first female Speaker of the ECOWAS Parliament after twenty-five years, that’s commendable and her leadership has been marked with one of the greatest levels of collaboration – the level of empowering women to go beyond the boundaries and limitations that has been set for them, so for us, the ECOWAS Parliament Speaker is doing exceptionally well,” He emphasized.
Asked about what more can be done to improve West Africa’s ranking in global women’s participation and empowerment, Agala said:
“From an organization perspective, a lot of mobilization and sensitization needs to be done. Sensitization on the part of getting these women to understand that there is no limitation by gender. Mobilization in getting them to come out to take on leadership roles and positions. It’s a challenge but it is something that is surmountable.”
On the issue of most African legislatures not meeting global women’s empowerment threshold of thirty-five or fifty percent as in the case of the Senegal, he said with enough sensitization and mobilization, “legislatures will have no choice but to pass such bills.”
“The truth is, when these legislators get back to their constituencies, what did the people request for? Did they request for things to eat or are they requesting for a place in the table? The reality is that until we can balance that, we will keep having issues with African countries not achieving thirty-five percent affirmation. We need more mobilization and sensitization. What we are doing today extends beyond now. If we take rice and other l things more important, we are selling the future. A lot needs to be done with regards to changing the mindsets.”
Jeremiah Agala concluded with a message of encouragement to the Speaker and other exceptional women in leadership and governance.
“My message to the Speaker of ECOWAS Parliament and other exceptional women in governance, keep doing what you’re doing. You’re an inspiration, whether you know it or not. A lot of women are getting empowered and encouraged that you’re there. It only opens their mind to the fact that it’s possible someday for them also “
