The ECOWAS Commission has successfully concluded a monitoring mission to The Gambia as part of the Fund for Regional Stabilization and Development (FRSD) Pilot Program. The mission, which took place from 24th June to 29th June 2024, aimed to assess and monitor the progress of ongoing infratructural investments to ensure their timely handover to women and youth beneficiaries.

The delegation, comprising representatives from ECOWAS Commission, ECOWAS Representation Office, National Implementing Partners, as well as technical support team from KfW Development Bank, visited several project sites across various regions of The Gambia. These visits were essential for evaluating the effectiveness of initiatives focused socio-econo ic empowerment for women and youth in The Gambia.

During the mission, the delegation visited key sites such as the Taibatu Youth in Taibatu, Wuli West (Poultry House), Mansajang Youth Development in Basse (Poultry House), Nyakoi Medina Horticultural Garden in Nyakoi Medina, and Tesito Women’s Garden in Mansajang (Horticultural Garden). The delegation also assessed the new completed GTTI student dormitories in Julangel (40 beds) and Mansakonko (80 beds), the Center for Learning, Research and Self Improvement in Kiang Jattaba (Poultry House), and the Berekonku Youth Association in Pakalinding (Poultry House). Poultry Houses and Fish Ponds at Kundam Youth Garden.  Additionally, the Brufut Fish Landing site was visited to ascertian the status of additional infrastructure being constructed to create opportunities for many more women involved in fish smoking. The mission findings on the overall status of infrastructre activities are as follows:

Agro-processing Training Centre: 98% completed, designed to train at least 200 youth yearly.
Student Dormitories: 97% completed, one with 40 beds and another with 80 beds.
Fish Ponds: 95% completed, with 7 ponds constructed.
Fish Smoking Houses: 90% completed, two new smoking houses at Brufut fish landing site with supporting infrastructure including changing rooms, washing and boiling rooms, selling area, water tower, a fencewall and boreholes.
Poultry Houses: 50% completed, with 34 houses being developed.
Horticultural Gardens with solar-powered irrigation: 50% completed, with 47 gardens being established for youth and women-led projects.

The mission concluded with a debriefing session, where all partners discussed the findings and committed to working together to explore opportunities for increased technical support for the beneficiaries. This is to ensure the continued success of the FRSD initiatives in The Gambia.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission’s Humanitarian Response Team began a comprehensive 4-day field monitoring and evaluation mission in Liberia on Monday, 22nd July, 2024. This mission aimed to assess the impact of the food and nutrition response initiatives by the ECOWAS Commission addressing food security in various communities. And Cash transfer to victims of flood. So far, the response has achieved 97% coverage, reaching 1,878 households.

In collaboration with the Liberian Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Welt Hunger Hilfe (WHH), the National Red Cross, the National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA), and the ECOWAS National office, represented, the ECOWAS team visited multiple communities. Where they engaged with beneficiaries and community leaders, who commended ECOWAS for its dedicated efforts and proving that ECOWAS has transformed from an ECOWAS of States to an ECOWAS of people. The community leaders expressed their gratitude and urged that the support be extended to additional communities.

The ECOWAS team also participated in distributing food and nutrition assistance to beneficiaries identified by the implementing partners. The fortified food kits, which included 20 packs of baby rice cereal, 20 packs of fortified plantain flour, a bowl, a baby cup, and a spoon, aimed to provide comprehensive nutritional support to help malnourished communities recover and build resilience., in accordance with the project’s slogan “Building Back Stronger”.

Inclusion was a key factor in selecting the beneficiaries, women, youth, men and persons living with disabilities, were all not left behind. The implementing partners also had a well-structured feedback mechanism ensured accountability and responsiveness to the affected communities was incorporated into the project.

The project successfully identified five health facilities in Zannah, Pleemu, Koon, Nyehn, and Zingbor communities and provided support to beneficiaries from 30 communities. This initiative was facilitated by 30 health workers who were locally recruited and six Area Awareness Teams. As the project enters its final phase, it has achieved its target of reaching 2,000 caregivers and 2,000 infants and young children.

ECOWAS remains committed to supporting the people of Liberia and ensuring the success of humanitarian efforts across the region.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).

President Cyril Ramaphosa has, in terms of Section 174(3) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, appointed current Deputy Chief Justice Mandisa Maya as Chief Justice of the Republic of South Africa with effect from 1 September 2024.

The appointment follows the President’s consultation, in accordance with Constitutional prescripts, with the Judicial Service Commission and the leaders of political parties represented in the National Assembly.

In a letter addressed to Chief Justice Raymond Zondo on 22 February 2024, President Ramaphosa informed the Judicial Service Commission of his intention to appoint Deputy Chief Justice Maya as the Chief Justice of the Republic upon the expiry of the term of office of Chief Justice Zondo on 31 August 2024.

The President invited the Judicial Service Commission to provide its views on the suitability of Justice Maya to hold the office of Chief Justice.

Discharging its consultative mandate set out in Section 174(3) of the Constitution, the Commission interviewed Justice Maya on 21 May 2024 to ascertain her suitability to be appointed as Chief Justice of the Republic.

The Commission subsequently assured the President of Justice Maya’s suitability to lead the judiciary in the country based on the interview, Justice Maya’s qualifications and judicial record, her leadership qualities, her experience as a judge in various courts, her past leadership of the Supreme Court of Appeal and her role as Deputy Chief Justice in the period leading to her nomination by the President.

The Commissioners also advised that Justice Maya’s appointment would be a significant milestone for the country as Justice Maya would be the first woman in South Africa to be appointed Chief Justice.

President Ramaphosa appreciates the confidence expressed by the Judicial Service Commission and leaders of political parties in the suitability of the incoming Chief Justice, who can draw inspiration and support from the confidence expressed in her.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of The Presidency of the Republic of South Africa.

On Wednesday 18 July 2024, a delegation from the ECOWAS Water Resources Management Centre, led by its Director, Mr Alexis KOUASSI, visited the Water Museum in Gampela.

This visit is part of the commemoration of the 49th anniversary of the sub-regional institution. To this end, a donation of computer and office equipment (including a computer, printer, video projector and external disk) was made to the museum, to help develop its activities in the region.

The promoter of the museum, Mr Alassane SAMOURA, welcomed this gesture, which will bring more innovation to the museum institution, which is undergoing a major administrative restructuring, and will also enable it to keep up with new information and communication technologies.

During the visit, the delegation was able to appreciate the tangible and intangible heritage of water. Through activities that were both entertaining and educational, the director and his colleagues learned about the various techniques for finding water using endogenous knowledge, the place and importance of promoting hygiene and sanitation with the “latrine Maracana” game, and the women’s journey through the chore of fetching water.

On this occasion, Mr Alexis KOUASSI, Director of the centre, impressed and touched by the simplicity and depth of the message that the museum conveys, as well as the impact that it leaves on visitors, conveyed words of encouragement and congratulations to the promoter and his employees. He also reaffirmed the Water Resources Management Centre’s commitment to supporting the museum in its future projects. Finally, a tree planting (the baobab) on behalf of the centre brought the day’s visit to a close.

Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).