ECOWAS concludes workshop on monitoring indicators under agricultural policy

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has successfully completed a four-day technical workshop in Accra, Ghana, from October 16 to 19, 2024. The event aimed to review and enhance the Technical Guide for Non-Defined Monitoring and Evaluation Indicators under the ECOWAS Agricultural Policy (ECOWAP).

Mrs. Fatmata L. SEIWOH, Programme Officer for ECOWAP/Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme (CAADP) Monitoring and Evaluation, addressed the importance of precise monitoring for effective policy implementation. She emphasized that "accurate monitoring" is crucial for West Africa as it prepares to review ECOWAP and plan for the next decade.

Mr. Faisal Munkaila from the Ghana Ministry of Food and Agriculture welcomed participants on behalf of the Permanent Secretary. He highlighted Ghana's commitment to agricultural transformation and regional cooperation.

The workshop's primary goal was to validate ECOWAP indicators, identify gaps, and improve parameters to ensure robust technical guidelines. Participants compared ECOWAP and CAADP/Biennial Review indicators with a focus on convergence and divergence points.

Participants were divided into groups to verify technical specifications of indicators aligning with continental frameworks. They engaged in discussions leading to consensus on improvements through "lively arguments on indicator definitions and methodology."

Efforts were made to define each indicator’s aims, standardize calculation methods across nations, and establish reliable reporting formats. Facilitators assisted in harmonizing definitions to prevent disparities in reporting.

Sessions stressed consistency across countries by aligning indicators with national, regional, and continental priorities. Methodologies for measuring agricultural performance were refined alongside a regional data collection plan.

In closing remarks, a representative from Ghana's Federal Ministry of Food and Agriculture commended ECOWAS for its commitment. He reiterated Ghana’s support for ECOWAS initiatives aimed at strengthening regional integration for sustainable agricultural growth.