Niamey — A forum of forestry experts has called on the ECOWAS Commission to support Member States in the formulation of policies on traditional medicines and the development of a regional strategy to promote the transformation and commercialization of Non-Timber Forest Products (NTFPs). Rising from a meeting on Friday, 29th July 2011 in Niamey, Niger that enabled them to exchange knowledge and good practices on the production, harvesting, processing and development of NTFPs, the experts also called on Member States to provide citizens with proven and scientifically tested medicinal products and services. Furthermore, they urged the Commission to develop a regional mechanism for raising of awareness and sensitization at all levels - including local communities, decision-makers and the civil society - on the production and sustainable development of NTFPs within the region.

While acknowledging the potential of the NTFPs as a lucrative industry for the delivery of traditional health care services, they proposed that traditional medicine should be promoted as the first drug of choice for the majority of patients in West Africa, given its critical role in the national health care delivery system. In addition, the experts recommended that detailed research be conducted on available NTFPs with economic value within the region with integrated Community-based forest management ecotourism techniques. They also called for a review of policy and institutional framework of NTFPs- based forest management to enable citizens derive maximum benefits from the natural endowment while an appropriate institutional framework should also be established to develop and market NTFPs. They also called for the promotion of the management of West Africa's natural forests for multiple use and regular inventory of resources. Other recommendations called for the promotion of employment-generating processes and the provision of adequate infrastructure for storage, processing as well as skills development programmes on NTFPs while model multi-purpose agro-forestry recreational parks should be established in the region in collaboration with the local communities in order to encourage private sector participation.

Moreover, they called for the building and/or strengthening of the capacity of stakeholders within the NTFPs sector to encourage product commercialization and sustainable development of NTFPs in the region. Partners were also challenged to assist ECOWAS with a detailed NTFPs resources survey to establish existing stock of raw materials and products within the region; conduct market survey to determine the supply and demand of NTFPs products; and develop a statistical database in collaboration with the Economic and Statistical Observatory of Sub-Saharan Africa (AFRISTAT). The experts also recommended the establishment of a mechanism for harmonization of standards and quality control as well as sharing of knowledge and information on NTFPs. The forum was attended by representatives of ECOWAS Member States, non- governmental organizations and international organizations including the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the Centre for International Forestry Research (CIFOR).