Praia, Cape Verde – The Centre for Renewable Energies and Energy Efficiency (CEREEC) recently hosted a high-level workshop that brought together key specialized agencies of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The event aimed to foster partnerships focused on addressing the region’s pressing challenges in energy, water, agriculture, and gender integration.
Representatives from the ECOWAS Gender Development Center (EGDC), Regional Food and Agriculture Agency (ARAA), Project Preparation and Development Unit (PPDU), and Water Resources Management Center (WRMC) participated in the workshop. Keynote speakers included Ms. 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 centered on strengthening collaboration to address the interconnected issues of energy, water, and food, integrating gender perspectives into energy projects, and building stronger partnerships for regional development.
In his keynote address, Mr. Jean Francis Sempore, Executive Director of CEREEC, emphasized the importance of inter-agency cooperation, noting that despite progress in the ECOWAS region, challenges related to sustainable energy and water resources persist. He highlighted the workshop as a crucial platform for building synergies to enhance the impact of regional initiatives.
Ms. Monka Sandra Oulaté Fattoh praised CEREEC’s efforts in developing a gender roadmap and expressed her commitment to continued collaboration with other agencies for more effective joint actions. Mr. Alexis Kouassi emphasized the critical role of infrastructure development in water resource management, while Mr. Kebba Fye highlighted PPDU’s interest in strengthening partnerships to catalyze positive change. Mr. Kanfitin Konlani echoed these sentiments, calling for a clearer roadmap to maximize the potential of joint efforts.
The seminar concluded with presentations and discussions aimed at integrating sustainable energy, human development, and disaster risk reduction into future regional strategies. Participants stressed the need for continued collaboration to ensure that ECOWAS specialized agencies work effectively towards common goals, empowering communities and improving livelihoods across West Africa.
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