An ECOWAS delegation, led by Dr. Onyinye Nkechi Onwuka, Acting Director of Early Warning, and accompanied by Mr. Tunji Olonode, Information and Management Officer, concluded a two-day assessment mission in The Gambia on September 5, 2024. The mission aimed to evaluate the operations of The Gambia’s National Coordination Centre for Early Warning and Response Mechanism (NCCRM), part of the ECOWAS Warning and Response Network (ECOWARN).
During the visit, the delegation engaged in a technical meeting with the NCCRM team and conducted an assessment of the Center’s operations, achievements, and challenges. A training session for ECOWARN Field Monitors and NCCRM analysts was also organized, focusing on data collection, reporting, and analysis using the ECOWARN Reporter platform. Additionally, laptops and accessories were distributed to support operational activities.
The delegation was joined by Madam Binta Singhateh, Director of NCCRM in The Gambia. They had an audience with His Excellency Vice President Muhammad Jallow. Dr. Onwuka reaffirmed ECOWAS’s commitment to supporting National Early Warning centers' operational effectiveness. She highlighted an upcoming Country Resilience and Human Security Assessment that will be undertaken by the Gambian National Early Center with technical assistance from the Early Warning Directorate and financial support from the African Development Bank.
The Vice President expressed appreciation for ECOWAS’s ongoing support to The Gambia and announced his commitment to ensuring legal backing for the Center. He also committed to convening the next National Center Statutory Board meeting.
Alongside Permanent Secretary Lamin Dampha from the Trade Ministry, the delegation paid courtesy visits to Minister of Trade Baboucarr Joof Baboucarr Joof who affirmed his commitment to providing necessary resources for the National Center's mandate related to peace, stability, and human security. An official visit was also made to Secretary General Madam Salimatta Touray who reiterated authorities' resolve to support early warning mechanisms in The Gambia.
ECOWAS remains dedicated to collaborating closely with member states to strengthen early warning and response mechanisms for a more secure West Africa.
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