Ecowas

Some twenty experts on food safety issues responded to an invitation from the ECOWAS Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development (DADR) to review progress and pre-validate the first version of harmonised health inspection and risk-based decision-making guide. From 3 to 6 July 2023 in Dakar, the participants reviewed each section of the draft document to provide additional information and make the necessary corrections.

The guide to harmonised health inspection and risk-based decision-making is a key document in the regulation of the food system in West Africa to harmonise inspection methods and scientific decision-making in ECOWAS member countries and in the Sahel. It will help to ensure the safe trade of agricultural products, increase the transparency of health inspection, the collection and recording of data and speed up the availability of safe products.

Its availability and above all its use will make it possible to meet the recurring challenges of food safety issues in relation to Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Agreement of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and also the Agreement on Trade Facilitation (ATF), promote better coordination, collaboration and cooperation and strengthen capacity building as well as increased mobilisation and harmonisation of resources in the West Africa and Sahel region.

The ECOWAS Commission and its partners intend to provide the region with this guide before the end of 2023 through a drafting process that began in May 2023 and will be completed in September/October 2023. The final document is expected October, once it has been approved by the Convergence Committee on Food  Safety. 

The regional coordination of the West African food system resilience programme (PRSA/FSRP) has invited all the programme's monitoring and evaluation specialists to a workshop to design tools for monitoring and collecting data on the programme's results and activities, as well as training on the MESECOPS platform, from 19 to 23 June in Agbélouvé, Togo.

The twenty or so participants from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Togo, Ghana, Chad, CORAF and CILSS harmonised their understanding of the PRSP's planning, monitoring-evaluation and reporting system, focusing on the MESECOPS platform and the roles of the players involved.

For five days, the PRSP's monitoring and evaluation specialists worked on developing the data collection tools that will serve as evidence of the implementation of the activities and the beneficiaries affected, and familiarised themselves with the methods for integrating the annual work plans and budget (PTBA) into the MESECOPS platform for monitoring and reporting on their implementation in real time.

Through practical exercises preceded by specific examples, the key concepts and main indicators of the PRSP were explained and experiences were also shared, with the aim of "facilitating effective and high-quality monitoring and reporting of PRSP results and activities, thus documenting the multiple interventions in the field and capitalising on the results of activities for the evaluation of the effects and impacts of the PRSP", emphasised Maty BA-DIAO, Regional Coordinator of the PRSP, who chaired the meeting. She encouraged the monitoring and evaluation specialists to put into practice all the knowledge acquired in order to provide the programme with a robust monitoring and evaluation system to ensure the collection, processing, analysis and sharing of information at national and regional levels.

This workshop is the first in a series of meetings to be organised as part of the programme's monitoring and evaluation system. It enabled monitoring and evaluation specialists to gain a common understanding not only of the indicators but also of the data collection and processing tools.

They drew up a joint roadmap with clear actions enabling them to document the FSRP's interventions at national and regional level. 

The regional coordination of the Food System Resilience Programme invited rice sector stakeholders from Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Ghana, Togo, Chad and Sierra Leone to a meeting to discuss the ECOWAS Rice Observatory. On 16 June, some thirty stakeholders and partners gained a better understanding of how the Observatory works, as well as the various activities planned to help countries set up multi-stakeholder platforms to boost the rice sector in West Africa.

Rice is the second most consumed cereal in Africa, after maize. In West Africa, where more than two-thirds of the cereals consumed in Sub-Saharan Africa are consumed, rice has seen the greatest growth, with consumption quadrupling over the last 30 years under the triple influence of population growth, strong urbanisation and increased per capita rice consumption. West African consumption has risen from 5 million tonnes in the early 1990s to more than 20 million tonnes by the end of 2021 (FAO, 2022).

In view of its importance in helping to combat food insecurity, rice has been chosen as the main value chain by all PRSP beneficiary countries. In these countries, with the support of ECOWAS through its rice observatory, the aim will be to build the capacity of stakeholders in the value chain and help coordinate investments from production to marketing of rice. The observatory will focus on mapping stakeholders and strengthening their capacity for coordination, data collection and regular communication on the development of the rice value chain. Platforms will be set up to better manage the various processes on the ground, with a strong involvement of the private sector.

Discussions with the countries highlighted the interest shown by players in the rice sector, but also the needs in terms of capacity building. The main actions underway in Ghana, Nigeria, Togo, Sierra Leone and Côte d'Ivoire, presented by Dr Boladalé, head of the ECOWAS Rice Observatory, provided a better understanding of the activities to be carried out in the field and, above all, the nature of ECOWAS support.

Better organised rice sectors in the countries with functional platforms will help to strengthen and make operational the West Africa Rice Observatory, which will thus coordinate investments in the rice sector at regional level and inform political decisions for better regulation of rice markets.

The ECOWAS Rice Observatory was set up to address the rice issue in the sub-region. Its main aims are to create a framework for dialogue between stakeholders; strengthen public-private partnerships; coordinate investments by the government, the private sector and technical and financial partners in market-based solutions to support the national rice development strategy; drive the transformation of the rice sector and facilitate access to finance along the entire value chain.

On 7 June 2023, the international community celebrated the 5th Food Safety Day on the theme "Food standards save lives", inviting everyone to make an effort to adopt healthy eating practices.
The ECOWAS Commission's Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture used the day to "take stock of food safety regulations and issues in West Africa and the Sahel from the point of view of food standards and the challenge of ensuring the availability of healthy food in the ECOWAS region".
During a webinar open to the public (99 participants logged on, including 14 master's students in nutrition and food safety), the ECOWAS Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development (DADR) presented the main existing regional standards and regulations and above all the activities underway to harmonise regional and national codes and regulations for food safety in West Africa and the Sahel. It is also an activity initiated by ECOWAS to raise public awareness, because "According to the World Health Organization (WHO), every year, According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), every year around 600 million people - or almost one in ten people worldwide - fall ill after eating contaminated food, and there is a need to initiate and strengthen activities to raise awareness among the regional population of food safety issues and the measures that need to be taken in food systems", emphasised Septime HOUSSOU-GOE, Programme Officer at the DADR at the opening of this meeting on behalf of Director Alain SY TRAORE. 
Dr Gbemenou Joselin Benoit GNONLONFIN, Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Expert at the DADR, presented an overview of regulations and food safety issues in West Africa and the Sahel. Dr GNONLONFIN then outlined the prospects for implementing and harmonising national and regional regulations, which can be summed up as follows: i) Organise in-country training for sanitary and phytosanitary inspectors and the relevant competent authorities on harmonised guides and decision-making; ii) Support annual participation in Codex standard-setting processes on priority regional food safety issues: contaminants, food additives, pesticide residues and veterinary drugs, food hygiene and contribution to the establishment of limits/standards within the respective codex committee, support annual participation in the WTO SPS Committee meeting in Geneva to coordinate trade negotiations and provide updates on implemented SPS measures, iii) support the generation, management and use of data for regional and international standard setting (examples Gombo : Pesticide residues (carry out an assessment of pesticide residues and generate data for use in extrapolation (use in crop grouping), Cocoa: metalaxil concentration in cocoa), iv) Setting up a functional one-stop database. 
The national experiences of Benin and Ghana were also shared. Food safety actions and the implementation of the CODEX Alimentarius were presented.  Nutrition and food safety experts, students, teacher-researchers, journalists, private sector players and decision-makers followed the presentations and took part in the discussions. 
During this meeting, which was the first to be organised by the DADR, ECOWAP stakeholders and partners were familiarised with the issues and questions surrounding food safety, and were given a number of approaches for adopting appropriate behaviour in order to avoid illnesses caused by the lack of healthy food thanks to food safety. Above all, they were informed of the existence of regional regulations and codex standards in ECOWAS member states.
In view of the importance of the subject at the health and socio-economic levels, the participants congratulated ECOWAS on the initiative and suggested (i) continuing, supporting and strengthening the participation of ECOWAS Member States and Mauritania and Chad in the process of drawing up international standards, (ii) continue and strengthen the harmonisation of national and regional regulations, (iii) strengthen training leading to qualifications and diplomas in the field of food safety throughout the value chain, (iii) strengthen the capacity of analysis and control laboratories in accordance with international standards, (iv) strengthen cooperation between national and regional institutions.
After this first experience, which was appreciated by all the stakeholders and partners, ECOWAS undertook to make it an annual meeting, which will serve not only to take stock of the implementation of food safety actions in the ECOWAS region, but also to make projections for the future.
The webinar was held as part of the implementation of the West African Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP), financed by the World Bank and coordinated at regional level by ECOWAS in collaboration with CILSS, CORAF and other partners, with 7 beneficiary countries at present: Burkina Faso, Mali, Niger, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Chad and Togo.  
 

From 29 to 31 October, the Togolese Capital Lome hosted a crucial meeting for the stakeholders and implementing partners of the West African Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP). The workshop provided an opportunity to take stock of activities under component 3 of the programme, devoted to the integration of trade and regional agricultural markets. This mid-term review of the programme, which was launched in June 2022, was a strategic step in measuring the impact of actions taken in the region to boost food security.

The year 2024, a pivotal one for the FSRP, represents a period of evaluation and adjustment of activities with a view to achieving the objectives set for 2026. During the three-day workshop, discussions focused on analysing the progress made, the successes achieved, and the challenges encountered, paving the way for recommendations to overcome the obstacles identified.

The activities of component 3 of FSRP aim to create a unified commercial environment, by harmonising sanitary and phytosanitary standards between Member States, modernising transport and storage infrastructures, and promoting strategic trade corridors. These initiatives help to reduce transaction costs, while improving access to information on agricultural markets for better planning and more informed economic decision-making by producers.

During the meeting, and in the light of the fruitful exchanges with the countries, all the stakeholders reaffirmed their desire to benefit from ECOWAS support to better understand and facilitate the implementation of Community regulations and measures with a view to improving the quality of local products and increasing the competitiveness of producers on the regional market. Intra-regional trade in agricultural products is expected to increase, strengthening the resilience of supply chains to climatic and economic disruptions.

Funded by the World Bank, the FSRP closely links national and regional actions to ensure a coordinated response to the region’s food challenges. Component 3 plays a fundamental role in this process, aiming to stimulate agricultural trade by developing the main trade corridors and supporting priority value chains.

The joint efforts of regional and national stakeholders demonstrate a shared vision of agricultural market integration as a lever for food security and sustainable development in West Africa. ECOWAS will continue to play a pivotal role in supporting Member States in achieving the ambitions of FSRP component 3 of which remains a key driver for the future of agricultural trade and resilience in the region.

On the sidelines of the Africa Food System Forum held from 2 to 6 September in Kigali, a meeting was held between the ECOWAS Director of Agriculture and Rural Development, Alain Sy Traoré, and the Executive Chairperson of AKADEMIYA 2063, Dr Ousmane Badiane. Accompanied by Konlani Kanfitin, Head of the Technical Operations Division of ARAA (Regional Agency for Agriculture and Food), Alain Sy Traoré engaged in strategic discussions on the collaboration between ECOWAS and AKADEMIYA 2063, with a particular focus on the implementation of the SCORECARD tool within the framework of the West Africa Food System Resilience Program (FSRP).

The SCORECARD tool, which has already been deployed in seven countries in West Africa and the Sahel, is a crucial instrument for facilitating intra-regional trade in agricultural products, thereby strengthening regional food security. “This tool enables countries to better monitor and evaluate their progress in terms of agricultural policies, while facilitating greater regional integration”, emphasised Alain Sy Traoré.

Discussions also focused on the possibility of formalising this collaboration through a memorandum of understanding between ECOWAS and AKADEMIYA 2063. This agreement would aim to strengthen the capacities of Member States in the development of the new ECOWAS agricultural policy 2025-2035, a strategic project for the future of agriculture in West Africa.

AKADEMIYA 2063, based in Kigali, has set itself the mission of supporting the efforts of African Union member states to achieve Agenda 2063. The aim is to transform African economies to stimulate growth and prosperity. The institution provides cutting-edge data and analyses, which are essential for guiding the public policies of African countries, while promoting mutual learning between states.

Strengthening collaboration between ECOWAS and AKADEMIYA 2063 is a strategic move for West Africa, a region in search of robust agricultural policies adapted to the challenges of today. By joining forces, these two institutions aim to promote better governance of agricultural policies, based on up-to-date data and relevant analyses, both at Member State and regional level.

ECOWAS organized a side event on “Scaling Investments for Rice Self-Sufficiency in West Africa: Opportunities and Challenges” on September 3rd in Kigali, Rwanda in Partnership with AfDB, JICA, AGRA, and the World Bank at the 2024 Africa Food Systems Forum 2024.

This event held under the auspices of Mrs. Massandjé Touré-Litsé, Commissioner of Economic Affairs and Agriculture of ECOWAS was an opportunity to share country experiences for the rice sector development and strengthen the by-in of several Development partners for a successful implementation of the Rice Roadmap 2025-2035.

More than 300 persons composed of Ministers, Governors, researchers, rice producers and processors, students…and technical and development partners participated in this event which promoted the formation of strategic partnerships essential for developing and implementing comprehensive rice investment packages identified within the roadmap.

The different interventions identified and addressed investment barriers by understanding these challenges and formulating actionable solutions to overcome them.

Attendees gained practical insights and proven strategies on successful investments models that can be replicated and adapted across different regions.

The side event was organized around two high level panels: ECOWAS Policy Frameworks and Sustainable Solutions and Financing Sustainable Rice Innovations to promote dialogue and collaboration among policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to enhance policy implementation and impact.

During the panel one, the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of Sierra Leone, Dr Henri Musa Kpaka; the Governor of Jigawa State Nigeria, HE. Malam Umar A. Mamadi and the Representatives of the Ministries of Agriculture of Ghana, Benin and Senegal share their experiences in the rice sector development. The panellists shared best practices, identified opportunities for enhancing sustainability, and recommended solutions on policy gaps and innovative approaches as underlined by the Minister of Agriculture and Food Security of Sierra Leone “In Sierra Leone, Rice is the major staple food and we continue to import large quantities of it. Since I arrived at the Ministry, I have decided to change things by investing in agricultural production, because our climate and vegetation allow it. And we’ve started by producing certified seeds and marketing them to reduce market prices and give most of the population easy access to them. The efforts of ECOWAS through the Rice Roadmap are beneficial for us”. One the major challenges to the development of the Rice Sector is access to finance.

The Governor of Jigawa State has talked this problem and shared his solution “In Jigawa State, we worked with financial institutions that agreed to support the rice industry. All the rice growers who have their own plots have been identified. The banks are helping them to buy seed and fertiliser. At harvest time, the banks help them with marketing and recover their loans. This is more profitable for both the banks and the producers”.  The side event ensured alignment between the Rice Roadmap and the National Rice Development Strategies of the Member States for effective implementation and greater impact.

The second panel session focused on “Financing Sustainable Rice Innovations” to unlock investments for a resilient rice sector.  It brings together financiers, private sector players, development partners. The representatives of AfDB, JICA, AFEX and the World Bank, under the moderation of Alain Sy Traore, Director of Agriculture and Rural Development of ECOWAS, explored potential interventions and sustainable innovations to improve access to finance for farmers and millers to drive rice value chain development, and mechanisms to de-risk investments in the rice value chain. The panellists promoted the introduction of innovative de-risking schemes to encourage private sector investments and lending from financial institutions. This can be achieved e.g., through innovative insurance schemes like crop insurance, weather index insurance to protect against harvest losses, price hedging mechanisms to protect farmers from price volatility.

In conclusion to the side event, the Director of Agriculture and Rural Development said “Since the adoption of the rice roadmap, this is the first time we have shared it with a large audience such as this forum. Our aim is to change the trend in 10 years’ time and reduce the rate of rice imports into our respective countries. Action is underway to achieve this. All we need is financial support and the coordination of all agricultural policies to achieve this. It can be done.”

The organization of ECOWAS and Partners side event at the Africa Food Systems Forum (AFS) 2024, offered a critical platform for advancing agricultural innovation. The forum convened global leaders, investors, and stakeholders to discuss ways to transform food systems across Africa. The event fostered partnerships, shared practical insights, and drove actionable recommendations for achieving rice self-sufficiency in West Africa.

By participating at the AFS Forum 2024, ECOWAS and its partners have amplified their efforts in transforming the rice sector and increased the visibility of the ECOWAS Rice Observatory.  ERO, a multi-stakeholder platform established in partnership with organizations such as the African Development Bank (AfDB), World Bank, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF), and others, is central to coordinating activities and investments in West Africa’s rice sector. Based at the ECOWAS Commission under the Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development, ERO aims to align stakeholders, including farmers, millers, donors, and institutions, to reduce duplication and maximize resource use. Its mission is to facilitate collaboration, catalyze growth, and track progress, ultimately driving the region toward a competitive, sustainable, and resilient rice production.

On 7 June 2024, the international community celebrated the 6^ème International Food Safety Day on the theme “Food safety: preparing for the unexpected”, inviting everyone to try to adopt healthy eating practices.

The ECOWAS Commission’s Department of Economic Affairs and Agriculture and the FAO Sub-Regional Office for West Africa took advantage of the day to raise awareness among stakeholders in the West African food system of the importance of food safety and to help promote safe and healthy food practices at all levels of the agricultural value chain and society.

During a webinar open to the public, experts from the two institutions and from the countries presented the state of preparedness of the West Africa and Sahel Region for food safety emergencies in West Africa and shared some good practices of Member States in managing food safety emergencies and guaranteeing healthy and safe food for the population.

As recommended by stakeholders during the first webinar organised by ECOWAS on 07 June 2023, the webinar will become an annual activity initiated by ECOWAS to raise public awareness because “According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), every year, According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), every year, around 600 million people – or almost one in ten people worldwide – fall ill after eating contaminated food. It is therefore necessary to initiate and strengthen awareness-raising activities among the regional population on food safety issues and on the necessary measures to be taken in food systems,” emphasised Mr Septime HOUSSOU-GOE. Septime HOUSSOU-GOE, Programme Officer at the Department of Agriculture and Rural Development, opened the meeting on behalf of the Director, Alain SY TRAORE.

Before the DADR representative, Mr Drissi Mehdi, speaking on behalf of the Representative of the FAO Sub-Regional Office for West Africa, welcomed this joint initiative by the FAO and ECOWAS for the well-being of our populations.

He recalled some of the key actions undertaken by the FAO to promote healthy eating throughout the world, and particularly in West Africa, before stressing that “the FAO is ready to work closely with ECOWAS through a structuring programme to ensure that good practices for healthy and safe eating are adopted in our sub-region. “

Professor Ousmane SARR, from the Faculty of Medicine at Cheick Anta Diop University in Dakar, gave an overview of food safety regulations and issues in West Africa and the Sahel. Dr Mamadou N’DIAYE, Food Safety Specialist at the FAO Sub-regional Office for West Africa, focused on “Preparing the Region”.

These two presentations were followed by the sharing of country experiences on the national dynamics of food safety emergency management.

The national experiences of Nigeria, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal and Mali were also shared. The governance mechanisms for food safety and the involvement of States in the activities of the CODEX Alimentarius were presented, followed by exchanges/discussions between the participants.

ECOWAP stakeholders and partners were familiarised with food safety issues and questions. They were given some approaches for adopting appropriate behaviour in order to avoid illnesses caused by a lack of healthy food thanks to food safety. Above all, they were informed of the existence of regional regulations and codex standards in ECOWAS member states.

In view of the importance of the subject for health and socio-economic development, the participants congratulated ECOWAS and the FAO on the initiative and suggested that: (i) continue to support greater participation by ECOWAS Member States, Mauritania and Chad in the process of drawing up international standards; (ii) continue to strengthen the harmonisation of national and regional regulations; (iii) strengthen training leading to qualifications and diplomas in the field of food safety throughout the value chain; (iii) strengthen the capacity of analysis and control laboratories in accordance with international standards; and finally (iv) strengthen cooperation between national and regional institutions.

This webinar demonstrated once again that there is a great deal of work to be done to mobilise decision-makers and change people’s behaviour. The FAO and ECOWAS launched a Call to Action aimed at governments and non-state actors.

These two institutions have agreed to develop a Regional Programme to Strengthen Country Capacity in Food Safety, and the main thrusts of this programme were shared with the participants.

The webinar was held as part of the implementation of the West African Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP), financed by the World Bank and coordinated at regional level by ECOWAS in collaboration with CILSS, CORAF and other partners, with 8 beneficiary countries (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Niger, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Togo).

ECOWAS trained around one hundred Ghanaian and Burkina Faso practitioners and regulators involved in food and agricultural trade on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) measures to ensure food security in the sub-region , from 10 to 14 June 2024 in Accra/Ghana and from 19 to 21 June 2024 in Ouagadougou/Burkina Faso. The main objective of the sessions organised as part of the implementation of the West Africa Food System Resilience Programme (FSRP) was to create a knowledge acquisition forum for the Ghanaian and Burkina Faso authorities involved in regulating food handling standards and those involved in cross-border trade in food and agri-food products. Work in each country focused on training and knowledge-sharing sessions, field inspection visits and practical demonstrations on health inspection and food-borne disease decision-making, with an emphasis on protecting consumers from illness, injury or death caused by consuming food.

Sanitary and phytosanitary measures (SPS) are quarantine and biosecurity measures applied to protect human, animal or plant life or health against the risks associated with the introduction, establishment and spread of pests and diseases and against the risks associated with additives, toxins and contaminants in food and feed.

The training sessions covered the following topics: “General principles of food hygiene”; “SPS Agreements”; “Hazard Analysis and Critical Control Points (HACCP)”; “Food import and export inspection and certification systems”; “The legislative and regulatory framework in force in Ghana and Burkina Faso”; and the “Harmonised Guide to Health Inspection and Decision-Making”.

During the various training sessions, the facilitators also presented to the country teams the new harmonised risk-based sanitary and phytosanitary guide developed by ECOWAS, to harmonise protocols across the country.

After the classroom sessions, field visits were organised, including (i) health inspection of imported products (such as canned goods and fresh products – dairy and meat), (ii) health inspection of products intended for export and health inspection of local products (such as meat, fish and other fresh products).

The regulators carried out product identification, physical inspection of products, detection and identification of signs of non-compliance and unsafe products, and techniques for collecting, identifying and packaging samples for further laboratory analysis.

Through these training sessions, the stakeholders and partners appreciated the various initiatives and support provided by ECOWAS in the region. They also expressed the hope that ECOWAS would be able to mobilise all its resources to effectively defend commercial agricultural production and productivity in selected value chains in the region.