ECOWAS Institutions, Member States Review Coordination Challenges in Programme Implementation

14 November 2011
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Economic Community of West African States (Abuja)
press release

Accra - Ghana — Officials of ECOWAS Institutions and regional stakeholders on Monday 14th November 2011 in Accra, Ghana, began a comprehensive review of the state of cooperation and synergy in the implementation of Community programmes in Member States. The annual retreat of Community officials, Ambassadors of Member States accredited to the Commission and ECOWAS focal persons in Member States provides an opportunity for a holistic review of the programmes of the Commission and institutions of the Community, and how to improve communication and coordination with Member States in order to ensure ECOWAS visibility and local ownership of Community initiatives in Member States.

This sixth edition of the Retreat will review the region's activities and responses to the challenges of peace and security, infrastructure deficits and food security. In particular, it will discuss how to revamp ECOWAS Focal Points in Member States to better reposition them to facilitate increased involvement of national stakeholders in the regional integration processes, Ghana's Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Alhaji Muhammad Mumuni, was due to open the retreat, which will also discuss regional responses to the issues of terrorism, piracy and other forms of international organized crime, refugees and internally displaced persons, which attracted increased international attention following the recent political crisis in Cote d'Ivoire. Among the presentations at the retreat will be the report of a study on the capacity needs of National Units charged with coordinating ECOWAS issues in Member States and the operational manual for their operations. Also scheduled for discussion is the status of the ongoing negotiation of an Economic Partnership Agreement (EPA) between the region and the European Union, which is behind schedule, as well as impediments to the smooth implementation of the ECOWAS flagship Protocol on free movement of persons, goods and services.

The retreat delegates will also review the status of the region's monetary cooperation which 2020 as the target year for introduction of single currency as well as community programmes and the contributions of the private sector to regional integration, particularly through stimulating increased economic relations with the emerging economic powers, such as Brazil, China and India. The meeting will also review the status of efforts to promote sustainable development, food security and the environment and renewable energy, as well as road, air and sea transport in the region. The region's strategic plan aimed at improving synergy in planning and implementation and the status of engagement of Member States will also be discussed. This will be preceded by an update of the new procedures in internal control, financial regulations and processes being put in place to improve efficiency and transparency in the management of Community resources. In the course of the retreat, delegates will be offered the opportunity to deliberate on the activities of other Community institutions, including the Community Court, the ECOWAS Parliament, the Dakar-based Inter-Governmental Group for Action Against Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing in West Africa (GIABA), and the West African Health Organisation (WAHO).

Representatives of seven of the Member States - Benin, Cape Verde, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea Bissau, Niger and Sierra Leone - will also make presentations on the status of implementation of Community programmes in their countries followed by a presentation on the role of the Diplomatic Missions of Member States accredited to Nigeria in the regional integration process. The anticipated frank exchanges at the retreat are expected to help forge greater cooperation among the stakeholders in the regional integration agenda, ensure greater participation of Community citizens in regional initiatives, and enhance the realization of the region's development aspirations

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