ECOFEPA Elects Sen. Chantal Fanny Moussokoura as President, Charges Members to Unite for Greater Impact

Jane Salihu

The ECOWAS Female Parliamentarians Association (ECOFEPA) has elected Senator Chantal Fanny Moussokoura of Côte d’Ivoire as its new President, following a keenly contested election held on Saturday, December 6, 2025. The election, which took place during the 6th Community Legislature, also produced a new Executive Bureau to steer the affairs of the association for the next two years.

In her acceptance speech, Madam Fanny Moussokoura called on her colleagues to strengthen unity within the association, stressing that only a united ECOFEPA can fully achieve its mandate. She expressed deep appreciation to fellow parliamentarians for entrusting her with the responsibility of leading the organisation.

“ECOFEPA is destined for greatness in unity of purpose, armed with our values and intelligence,” she stated. “We will give a clear signal that West African female parliamentarians are not pushovers. We are an important force, and as long as we remain united, nothing can stop us.”

She assured members that under her leadership, ECOFEPA will no longer operate in a disorganized fashion but will emerge as a formidable voice for gender inclusion and female leadership in the region. According to her, the new leadership is committed to empowering young women and creating training opportunities that will strengthen future female participation in governance.

“These two years, we are going to make a lot of solid impact and strengthen female leadership in the sub-region,” she added. “We will be the actors in our region; we are taking ECOFEPA to the highest level.”

The newly elected ECOFEPA Executive Bureau includes prominent female lawmakers drawn from across West Africa. They are; Senator Chantal Fanny Moussokoura as President (Côte d’Ivoire); Hon. Zainab Gimba as First Vice President (Nigeria); Hon. Rosa Lopes Rocha as Second Vice President (Cape Verde); Hon. Laadi Ayii Ayamba as Third Vice President (Ghana); Hon. Fanta Konte as Secretary General (Guinea); Hon. Cecile Ahoumenou as Deputy Secretary General (Benin);

Others are, Hon. Maimuna Ceesay as Treasurer (Gambia); Hon. Fatou Ba as Financial Secretary (Senegal); and Hon. Moima Briggs Mensah as Public Relations Officer (Liberia).

The new leadership has pledged to work collaboratively in advancing women’s political influence and strengthening the role of female parliamentarians across the ECOWAS region.