ExLA Group Gender Programme (EGGP) has  congratulated President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf on her election as the Chairperson of ECOWAS.

In a statement, the group said Sirleaf's election is great news for Liberia and for women as well.

Ellen Johson is the first Liberian leader to be elected to the high office of the sub-regional bloc since its inception in 1975. She also doubles as the first woman to ascend the office.

She took over from the President of Senegal, H.E. Macky Sall on the 4^th of June, 2016 during the 49^th ECOWAS Heads of State Summit in Dakar, Senegal which also launched discussions into tightening up security across the region in the wake of terrorists’ insurgency.

“President Johnson Sirleaf’s election is quite significant, especially for the general development of the sub-region as it gives an indication of a levelled ground of opportunities for both males and females in the ECOWAS member states with a rippling effect on the entire continent as a whole. It gives hope to the younger generation of women and girls to strive to achieve high status in their various fields of endeavour. Having risen from a background as an advocate for women and girls in her home country, the new office provides another unique opportunity to extend her support and advocacy for the empowerment of girls and women in Africa”, the statement advanced.

Having identified women empowerment as crucial towards the development of the continent, ExLA Group through its gender desk has initiated the Young African Women Congress (YAWC) to open up discussions on the significant roles women can play towards national and continental development.

The congress takes off from 4^th to 8^th July, 2016 in Accra, Ghana and will bring together over 450 women delegates within the age bracket of 20 and 35 years across Africa. These delegates will be guided by 40 accomplished women leaders from various sectors from Africa and Latin America as we reengineer our efforts towards complete economic and social emancipation for women.

EGGP wishes H.E. Sirleaf the very best in her new position as she strive for economic freedom, security and regional integration among the ECOWAS Member States.