ECREEE hosts workshop to strengthen partnerships among ECOWAS specialized agencies

The ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) recently hosted a workshop at its headquarters in Praia, Cabo Verde. The event brought together representatives from key ECOWAS specialized agencies to discuss partnerships aimed at addressing the region's challenges in energy, water, agriculture, and gender mainstreaming.

Attendees included representatives from the ECOWAS Gender Development Center (EGDC), the Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food (ARAA), the Project Preparation and Development Unit (PPDU), and the Water Resources Management Centre (WRMC). Key speakers were Mrs. Monka Sandra Oulaté Fattoh, Director of EGDC; Mr. Alexis Kouassi, Director of WRMC; Mr. Kebba Fye, Acting Director of PPDU; and Mr. Kanfitin Konlani, Representative of the Executive Director of ARAA.

Discussions focused on enhancing collaboration to address the Energy-Water-Food Nexus, integrating gender into energy projects, and building stronger ties for regional development.

Mr. Jean Francis Sempore, Executive Director of ECREEE, opened the workshop by highlighting inter-agency collaboration's significance: “Despite progress in the ECOWAS region, challenges such as access to sustainable energy and water resources remain. This workshop provides a critical platform for building synergies that will enhance the impact of regional initiatives.”

Mrs. Monka Sandra Oulaté Fattoh praised ECREEE’s efforts in developing a gender roadmap and pledged continued cooperation with other agencies for more effective joint actions. Mr. Alexis Kouassi emphasized infrastructure development's role in managing water resources while Mr. Kebba Fye expressed PPDU’s interest in strengthening partnerships to drive positive change. Mr. Kanfitin Konlani supported these views by calling for clearer roadmaps to maximize joint efforts' potential.

The workshop concluded with presentations and discussions on integrating sustainable energy, human development, and disaster risk reduction into future strategies while promoting inter-agency synergy towards achieving ECOWAS strategic objectives.

Participants stressed continuous collaboration's importance to ensure that ECOWAS’ specialized agencies effectively work towards common goals that empower communities and improve livelihoods across West Africa.