GUINEA-BISSAU DEEPENS NATIONAL COMMITMENT TO THE WOMEN,
PEACE, AND SECURITY AGENDA THROUGH ECOWAS-LED IN-COUNTRY CRF
CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP

By: Michael Mike

From the 22nd to 24th of July, 2025, the ECOWAS Commission, through its Directorate of Humanitarian and Social Affairs (DAHS), in close collaboration with other relevant directorates and agencies, the Ministry of Women, Family and Social Solidarity of the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, as well as the ECOWAS Women, Peace and Security Regional Steering Group (WPS-RSG), successfully organized a national capacity-building workshop in Bissau.

The three-day workshop, aimed at stakeholders and focal points of the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) Agenda, focused on the application of the African Union’s Continental Results Framework (CRC-UA), simplified and adapted to the West African context by the ECOWAS Commission for monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the WPS Agenda.

This initiative is part of ECOWAS’s ongoing efforts to strengthen national accountability
mechanisms and data systems, in support of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and related resolutions. It is implemented with the technical and financial support of the ECOWAS Peace, Security and Governance Project (EPSG), co-financed by the European Union and the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development
(BMZ) and carried out with the support of GIZ.

In her opening speech, Her Excellency Maria Inácia Có Mendes Sanhá, Minister of Women, Family and Social Solidarity, underlined Guinea-Bissau’s ongoing commitment to gender equality and women’s empowerment in peace-building processes. She reaffirmed the government’s support for the WPS Agenda, citing several national policies and legal frameworks, including the National Policy for Gender Equality and Equity (PNIEG), the Parity Law, as well as laws on gender-based violence and human trafficking.

Mrs. Cristina da Silva Pedreira, Director General of Regional Integration and Head of the ECOWAS National Unit at the Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Integration, welcomed the participants, stressing that the workshop offered a platform for adapting continental frameworks to the local level and strengthening the role of women in sustain-
able development and peacebuilding in Guinea-Bissau.

She reaffirmed her ministry’s commitment to supporting ECOWAS processes in national institutions.

Directorate of Communication
Representing the ECOWAS Resident Representative, Her Excellency Ambassador Ngozi Ukaeje, Dr. Aishatu Morido Yanet praised the collaborative spirit that had animated the workshop and encouraged participants to take full advantage of the training to fill the data and coordination gaps, as highlighted in the first ECOWAS regional WPS report (2024).

She stressed that the CRC is not just a technical tool, but an essential accountabil-
ity mechanism ensuring the visibility and impact of women’s contributions to peacebuilding.

On behalf of the ECOWAS Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, Dr. Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, Mr. Olatunde Olayemi, Program Manager for the Social Dimensions of Human Trafficking, stressed the importance of the CRC in institutionalizing monitoring and reporting on the WPS.

He pointed out that the Guinea-Bissau workshop is the ninth of its kind organized by ECOWAS, following similar initiatives in Côte d’Ivoire, Benin, Nigeria, Liberia, Gambia, Togo, Senegal and Ghana.

“Women and girls must be visible actors in peace and governance,” he said, adding that the CRC’s simplified tool is a crucial step in ensuring evidence-based implementation and monitoring of national WPS commitments.

Speaking on behalf of the German government, Mr. Carsten Wille, Head of the Liaison Office of the German Embassy in Dakar and Guinea-Bissau, reaffirmed Germany’s strong commitment to feminist development cooperation and inclusive peacebuilding. “We areproud to support national actors through the EPSG project. Guinea-Bissau’s adherence to this CRC training demonstrates its willingness to strengthen its institutional response to
the gender dimensions of peace and security,” he asserted.

The workshop, led by Ms Tamwakat Elizabeth Golit, Integrated Expert on Women, Peace and Security for the EPSG Project at the ECOWAS Commission, and Ms Edineusa Lopes José da Cruz Figueiredo, President of the Institute for Women and Children, brought to-
gether over 35 participants from ministries, security institutions, civil society organiza-
tions, academia and the media. Through participatory exercises, group work and technical presentations, the workshop strengthened participants’ ability to use the CRC tool and its complementary questionnaire, enabling better monitoring of WPS indicators in line with national and regional frameworks.

At the close of the workshop, five gender assessment reports were officially handed over to the Office of the ECOWAS Resident Representative in Guinea-Bissau and to the ECOWAS National Office. During the presentation of the reports, Ms. Tamwakat Elizabeth Golit, the EPSG Project’s Integrated Gender Expert at the ECOWAS Commission, provided a summary of the main findings and practical recommendations for strengthening national coordination and policy responses.

She stressed the importance of transparency and collective ownership, pointing out that the reports are now publicly available via the ECOWAS website, to serve as a resource for advocacy, research and evidence-based decision-
making. Participants hailed the workshop as a timely initiative and called for further training, institutionalization of the CRC in national monitoring systems, and enhanced collaboration between stakeholders. They also expressed their willingness to contribute to the next national WPS reporting cycle using the simplified CRC tool.

The workshop concluded with a strong call to action: to take the Women, Peace and Security Agenda beyond political declarations, towards concrete and measurable impacts for women and girls in Guinea-Bissau and West Africa.

GUINEA-BISSAU DEEPENS NATIONAL COMMITMENT TO THE WOMEN,
PEACE, AND SECURITY AGENDA THROUGH ECOWAS-LED IN-COUNTRY CRF
CAPACITY BUILDING WORKSHOP

ECOWAS STANDARDS MANAGEMENT TECHNICAL COMMITTEE EXAMINES NEW
REGIONAL STANDARDS FOR FORTIFIED FOODS

By: Michael Mike

On the 28th and 29th of July 2025, the Cape Verdean capital Praia is hosting a decisive session of the ECOWAS Technical Committee for Standards Management (TMC).

The aim: to review and validate revised regional standards for fortified foods, including iodized salt, fortified vegetable oils and fortified wheat flour.

This initiative, supported by UNICEF, is part
of the fight against persistent malnutrition in West Africa.

This technical session is part of the implementation of the Common Industrial Policy for West Africa (PICAO) and the Standards Harmonization Model (ECOSHAM). The ambition is clear: to
strengthen the regional normative framework in terms of nutritional security, by adopting up-to-date standards aligned with international standards and meeting the public health priorities of member states.

Alongside the work on food standards, the Committee also validated the new composition of the bureaux of the sectoral technical committees THC2 (food products), THC4 (buildings and
construction materials), THC8 (textiles and clothing) and THC9 (information and communication technologies), taking into account the withdrawal of certain AES countries.

In his opening speech, Mr. Lassané Kaboré, ECOWAS Director of Industry, emphasized the strategic impact of these harmonized standards: guaranteeing safe products for consumers while boosting the competitiveness of local industries.

He also announced the imminent launch of a process to develop standards for complementary foods for infants and young children, in partnership with UNICEF.

For his part, Mr. Siméon Nanama, UNICEF Regional Nutrition Advisor for West and Central Africa, reiterated the urgent need to take action against malnutrition, a real brake on development. He highlighted large-scale fortification as a sustainable solution, praised the exemplary partnership
between UNICEF and ECOWAS, and reaffirmed the organization’s commitment to supporting the development of nutritional standards, particularly for young children.

Ms Ana Paula Spencer, President of the Institute for Quality Management and Intellectual Property (IGQPI), praised ECOWAS’s leading role in setting up a regional quality infrastructure, an
essential lever for fairer and safer trade.

ECOWAS STANDARDS MANAGEMENT TECHNICAL COMMITTEE EXAMINES NEW
REGIONAL STANDARDS FOR FORTIFIED FOODS

Nigeria Joins Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Zimbabwe on LEAPS Programme for Effective Public Sector Leadership

By: Michael Mike

The Federal Government on Tuesday launched the Leadership Excellence in Africa’s Public Service (LEAPS) Programme, aimed at redefining public sector leadership.

With the launch, Nigeria thus joined Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal and Zimbabwe on the LEAPS programme.

The programme which is anchored by African Capacity Building Foundation is a response to the demand for visionary, innovative, and ethical leadership in the public service on the continent.

Lauching the programme, the Permanent Secretary Ministry of Finance, Lydia Jafiya stressed the importance of the programme, saying it is to encourage transformative leaders in the public service.

Jafiya, who was represented by the Deputy Director, International Development Fund, Federal Ministry of Finance, Mr. Ibrahim Matazu, stressed that the public service remains the backbone of governance, tasked with delivering policies and services that uplift millions.

She said: “The LEAPS Programme, pioneered by the African Capacity Building Foundation, is more than a training initiative; it is a clarion call to redefine public sector leadership across our continent.

“In Nigeria, a nation central to Africa’s economic and demographic landscape, the demand for visionary, innovative, and ethical leaders has never been greater. Our public service is the backbone of governance, tasked with delivering policies and services that uplift millions.

“The LEAPS Programme is designed to empower directorate-level officers like you with the skills, mindset, and strategic acumen to navigate complex challenges and catalyze sustainable development.

“What sets LEAPS apart is its focus on fostering transformative leadership that goes beyond technical expertise.”

She noted that the programme draws from the success of its inaugural cohort, launched in Zimbabwe in November 2024, where LEAPS emphasizes competencies in leadership, strategic thinking, and innovation—qualities essential for addressing Nigeria’s unique priorities, from economic diversification to inclusive governance.

She added that: “This programme aligns with the African Union’s Agenda 2063, equipping leaders to champion a prosperous and resilient Africa.”

She therefore urged selected participants from Nigeria to engage in dynamic learning, share best practices, and build networks that transcend borders, joining a pan-African movement of public servants committed to excellence.

She noted that: “The ACBF’s vision, as echoed by leaders like Hon. Adama Coulibaly of Côte d’Ivoire, is to create a public sector that is not only effective but also a catalyst for transformative change. Today, we take a bold step toward realizing that vision in Nigeria.

“I urge you to seize this opportunity to hone your leadership, challenge conventional approaches, and drive policies that deliver tangible results for our people.

“Together, we can build a public service that is responsive, inclusive, and forward-thinking, ensuring Nigeria’s rightful place as a leader in Africa’s development.”

In his opening remarks, Senior Advisor to the Executive Secretary, for Strategy and Partnerships said LEAPS, Mr. Bakary Kone, is about investing in people, in potential, and in purpose-driven leadership.

Kone quoted a popular saying: “Nations do not rise because of their resources. They rise because of their leaders,” stating that the initiative is not just about launching a programme, but to invest in something far more powerful than policy or infrastructure—we are here to invest in people, in potential, and in purpose-driven leadership.”

He noted that “Our public finance managers already possess technical excellence. What they now need is the transformational power of leadership.

“LEAPS is about leadership that inspires, influences, and delivers.

“It is about equipping our most capable professionals with the soft skills—vision ownership, integrity, emotional intelligence, adaptability, ethical decision-making, and collaborative problem-solving—that turn good managers into great leaders.

“This programme is not a classroom. It is a launchpad. A catalyst. A movement.”

He stressed that the initiative is under the Enhancing Leadership and Governance in Public Financial Management in Africa, stating that: “When we launched ELG-PFM on the sidelines of the African Development Bank Annual Meetings in Nairobi last May, one powerful question emerged: “How will this program foster the kind of leadership Africa urgently needs—one that is resilient, ethical, and ready for the complexity of our times?

“Well, today—Nigeria delivers part of the answer.

“Since November 2024, LEAPS has taken root across five countries—Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, and Zimbabwe—where 89 senior public officials completed a six-month transformation journey that concluded in June 2025.

“The feedback has been unanimous and inspiring: Leadership mindsets are shifting. Institutions are evolving. Impact is happening.

“And now, with great pride, we mark the official arrival of LEAPS in Nigeria—home to every one African out of 6, Africa’s economic engine, and a critical player in shaping the continent’s public sector future.”

He said that “Africa today stands at a crossroads. Our continent faces: Complex fiscal landscapes, unrelenting global economic pressures, and growing citizen demands for transparency, equity, and results.”

On his part, Senior Programme Officer, Gates Foundation, Mr. Adil Ababou, in his remarks, said “it is about ensuring that the public financial system can work better for the people, more efficiently, and avoid wastages. So this is really what this contributes to.

“That’s not the only programme we are doing in that space, but this is one that we think can put the ownership on the financial insurers and the government. We are hoping this really contributes.”

Nigeria Joins Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Kenya, Senegal, Zimbabwe on LEAPS Programme for Effective Public Sector Leadership