Abidjan, Cote d'Ivoire — Africa needs a shared strategic vision if its economies are to be transformed to meet the needs of its population, says Dimitri Sanga, the Director of the West African Regional Office of the Economic Commission for Africa (ECA).
Speaking Thursday at a workshop to launch activities to restore the methodological Guide to manage Project Cycles (GPC) in Côte d'Ivoire, Mr. Sanga said he was convinced that in the absence of that shared vision, not much progress would be made towards structural transformation on the continent.
"I am still convinced that there will be no emergence or structural transformation of our countries without a shared strategic vision, accompanied by plans for operationalization based on projects and programs formulated, scheduled, implemented and assessed in accordance with international best standards," he told participants.
The Guide is part of the support project to strengthen development planning in Côte d'Ivoire and this process follows its initial implementation in February 2017.
It is part of the ECA's fundamental mission to assist African countries in their efforts towards sustainable development and also aims to support the rebirth of development planning in Côte d'Ivoire.
This methodological Guide is intended for senior government personnel, development actors and other stakeholders who are responsible for formulating, monitoring and assessing public programs in Côte d'Ivoire.
It is a set of tools for project design and management and is built on a logical framework analysis method and presents the various stages of the GPC as well as the missions, roles and responsibilities of the actors.
The Guide takes into account management and decision-making during the project cycle and helps to ensure that projects are achievable and generate sustainable benefits.
Chief of Staff of the Ministry of Planning and Development, Yeo Nahoua said; "This Guide is of crucial importance in our development process. It should be a guiding tool to practitioners and project managers, aimed at improving on the effectiveness and efficiency of projects for the well-being of our people."
Mr. Sanga said "Africa stood out, since independence, in its formulation of quality frameworks, strategies and development plans" and can come up with a strategic vision that can promote the structural transformation of its economies for the benefit of its people.
He noted some of the top African agreements that were adopted through collective unity in the past by the continent's leaders, for example, Mr. Sanga noted the Lagos Action Plan, the Abuja Treaty establishing the African Economic Community, were indisputably well formulated.
But, he noted, the continent has fallen short on implementation, adding this has affected Africa's ability to improve the livelihoods of its people.
"So, I want to believe that this GCP will go a long way to strengthening the capacities of the men and women responsible for implementing priority projects in Côte d'Ivoire by contributing towards improving on the implementation of the National Development Plan 2016-2020 and beyond, for the benefit of the Ivorian population," said Mr. Sanga.
Although the guide was initially intended for project and program planners and managers, it can also be of help to other stakeholders such as NGOs, other non-state organizations, students and consultants, who are involved in the design and implementation of projects funded by the State of Côte d'Ivoire, either alone or jointly with technical and financial partners, he said.
The workshop was organized by the Ivorian Government, through its Ministry of Planning and Development (MPD), and the ECA Sub-Regional Office for West Africa.
For more information, please contact: Mrs. A. A-Annie KACOU
Ministry of Planning and Development
02 25 29 48
09 00 45 15
mob: +225 02 25 29 48
Email: <anicou.kacou@gmail.com> or Tahirou Gouro, Communication Officer, ECA-SRO/WA,
mob: +227 90 99 99 39, Email: gouro2@un.org, or Amadou Diouf, Economic Affairs Officer, ECA-SRO/WA,
mob: +227 90 95 28 47, Email: diouf19@un.org
