ECOWAS hosts capacity building workshop in Gambia

The ECOWAS Commission, through its Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, organized a crucial three-day capacity-building workshop in The Gambia from June 26-28, 2024. This workshop aimed to strengthen the ECOWAS Integrated Coordination Mechanisms for Human Protection and Security (ECO-PHSICM).

Supported by the National Centre Coordination of Early Alert and Response Mechanism (CNCMARP) and under the auspices of the Office of the Vice President of The Gambia, the event reviewed progress since ECO-PHSICM’s establishment in 2021 and adopted an updated implementation roadmap for 2024-2026.

The workshop focused on revising the roadmap to address new and emerging issues and developing an action plan to enhance the “net of protection” for all people in The Gambia. In her welcome address, CNCMR Director Madam Binta Singhateh thanked the Vice President’s Office for its leadership and the ECOWAS Commission for organizing the technical workshop, emphasizing the importance of addressing human protection and security issues, especially for vulnerable groups.

Olatunde Olayemi, representing Dr. Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs ECOWAS, highlighted the importance of a human security approach in ECOWAS’ Revised Treaty and Protocols. He stressed the need to protect women, children, and other vulnerable groups from threats like human trafficking and gender-based violence.

Olayemi also announced a DA25,000 grant from ECOWAS to support CNCMR’s coordination work.

Ambassador Miatta Lily French, ECOWAS Resident in The Gambia, underscored that human safety is central to ECOWAS programs, aligning with the theme of the 49th Anniversary of ECOWAS, “Strengthening Regional Unity, Peace, and Security.”

She urged stakeholders to effectively use the financial support provided by ECOWAS to operationalize ECO-PHSICM.

Permanent Secretary of the Office of the Vice President Mr. Samba C. Mballo praised the Integrated Human Protection and Security Programme as vital for addressing regional risks and vulnerabilities. He highlighted the significance of adopting a country-specific implementation roadmap in The Gambia.

The workshop featured sessions on various thematic issues, including risk assessment, community engagement, gender integration, resource mobilization, and monitoring and evaluation of ECOPHISCM projects. The event concluded with the adoption of an action plan to implement The Gambia’s roadmap on human protection and security, marking a significant step towards enhancing human security in the region.