The Vice-President of the ECOWAS Commission, H.E. Mrs Damtien L. Tchintchibidja, initiated a three-day regional technical conference on Human Capital Development (HCD) in Accra, Ghana, on Wednesday 8 May 2024. The conference was organized by the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission and included experts and focal points from Member States. The aim of this gathering was to reinforce the commitment of Member States, partners, and ECOWAS technical staff to Human Capital Development at both regional and national levels.
In her inaugural address, H.E. Damtien L. Tchintchibidja stated that since the commencement of the regional strategy in 2021, ECOWAS has been actively backing the development of national HCD strategies with significant results being achieved. She said, “Today, we can proudly say that seven (7) out of 15 ECOWAS Member States have received ECOWAS funds to support the development of their strategies. Nigeria and Burkina Faso have completed the development of their national HCD strategies. The Federal Republic of Nigeria has moved on to implement its strategy at Federal State level, with substantial support from ECOWAS.”
She further noted that while striving to achieve these HCD objectives, ECOWAS Member States are confronted with numerous challenges such as political instability, escalating insecurity, terrorist attacks, climate change, epidemics and economic migration. Despite these obstacles, she assured that ECOWAS is resolved to continue implementing the HCD programme.
During the opening ceremony, representatives from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Bank - both technical and financial partners of ECOWAS - reiterated their commitment to continue collaborating with ECOWAS in addressing human capital development challenges.
Ms Charlotte Lejeune from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation reasserted her institution’s dedication towards promoting human capital development through its partnership with ECOWAS, focusing on innovative solutions to enhance education, health, nutrition and financial inclusion in West Africa.
Mr Robert Taliercio O’Brien, World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Sierra Leone and Liberia, underscored the demographic, economic and climatic challenges facing West Africa, where 65% of the population is under the age of 25. He emphasized the need for ECOWAS Member States and partners to work in a coordinated manner.
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