The African Union, Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) in collaboration with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the Ministry of Agriculture of the Islamic Republic of the Gambia and within the framework of the Reinforcing Veterinary Governance in Africa Program (VET-GOV) organized a Regional Livestock Policy Hub (RLPH) inauguration workshop held from 24-25 October 2016 at Ocean Bay Hotel in Banjul, the Gambia
Twente one (21) participants attended the workshop including the Director of Veterinary Services and the Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Islamic Republic of the Gambia. The National Livestock Policy Hub Focal Points (NLPHFP) of the following Member States: Benin, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea and Togo were present. Also present, were representatives of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the Confederation of the National Federations of Beef Value Chain of West Africa (COFENABVI-AO), the Women Association of West Africa (AFAO-WAWA), the Savannah and Sahelian Livestock Promotion Association (APESS), the West African Association of Poultry Value Chain (UOFA-AO), the International Livestock Research-Development Centre in sub-humid zone (CIRDES), the West Africa Livestock Innovation Centre/International Trypanotolerance Centre (WALIC/ITC), the West and Central African Council for Agricultural Research and Development (CORAF/WECARD) and the Bilittal Maroobè Network (RBM).
The objectives of the workshop were as follows:
- Officially launch the RLPH,
- Critically reflect on responsibilities and contributions of the RLPH in the development of the livestock sector including an action plan ,
- Identify role and steps to formalize the RLPH as a tool of ECOWAS,
Results of the Workshop
The Opening Ceremony
The opening ceremony was chaired by the Deputy Minister of Agriculture of the Islamic Republic of the Gambia who declared the workshop open. Welcome remarks were presented by the representative of the ECOWAS Commissioner for Agriculture, Environment, and Water Resources, the Director of the Veterinary Services of the Gambia as well as representatives of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the African Union- Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) and then the opening speech of the representative of the Ministry.
Work Session
Officials for the plenary sessions included:
- Dr. Duto Seini Fofana (President, Gambia)
- Dr. Seni Mane (Vice-president, Guinea)
- Dr. Arss Secka (Rapporteur, Gambia)
Presentations and discussions during the plenary sessions were as follow:
- Workshop objectives
- Overview of the Lome meeting outcomes including the RLPH terms of reference, Composition, members profile, anchorage and links, modus operandi and priority areas.
- Experience sharing with NLPHFP of Benin, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea and Togo.
After the presentations and discussions at plenary, participants were divided into two work groups to address the following objectives targeted to achieve the workshop.
The Group 1. Critically reflect on responsibilities and contributions of the RLPH in the development of the livestock sector including an action plan.
The Group 2. Identify role and steps to formalize the RLPH as a tool of ECOWAS.
After two (2) days of discussion and brainstorming, the groups presented their reports to the plenary for discussion, amendments and adoption.
Conclusions and Recommendations of the workshop
After two days of deliberations, participants were able to critically reflect on responsibilities and contributions of the RLPH in the development of the livestock sector including an action plan and identify role and steps to formalize the RLPH as a tool for ECOWAS.
Participants of the Regional Livestock Policy Hub Inauguration Workshop held from 24-25 October 2016 at Ocean Bay Hotel in Banjul, the Gambia recognizes:
- The role played by AU-IBAR for the reinforcing of the veterinary governance in Africa for developing policies, strategies and legislations to improve the livestock sector Governance.
- The role played by FAO at international level in reinforcing veterinary services capacities and technical support provided for policies development and implementation to develop the livestock sector ;
- The improved capacity of ECOWAS in terms of regional coordination and harmonization for the benefit of the livestock sector.
The workshop came up with the following recommendations:
For AU-IBAR to
- Support the region in its efforts of coordination, harmonization within the governance of veterinary services and the livestock sector as an all.
- Assist the N/RRLPH to completely take off ;
- Assist Members States and the region to put in place functional links between the N/RLPH with CAADP teams at national and regional level as well as others relevant networks.
- Organization of a validation workshop of the results of this current workshop with the 15 ECOWAS Members States
For FAO to
- Continue the technical assistance necessary to Members States for the formulation, the implementation of livestock policy as well as capacity building necessary to stakeholders in the sector.
For ECOWAS to
- Ensure a regional coordination and harmonization of policies and strategies of the livestock sector in the ECOWAS zone ;
- Ensure the follow up of the official recognition of the governance tool and its adoption within reasonable time frame to be able to release it to the region.
For Member States to
- Permit the LPH to contribute in the review of the NAIP for a better mainstreaming of the livestock component in the CAADP process ;
- Avail to LPH a minimum funds for their operation ;
- Develop synergies at national level allowing the LPH to better function.
Acknowledgements
The participants in the regional workshop to critically reflect on responsibilities and contributions of the RLPH in the development of the livestock sector including an action plan and identify role and steps to formalize the RLPH as a tool of ECOWAS thanked the government and the people of the Islamic Republic of the Gambia for hosting the workshop and for their warm welcome. They also thanked AU-IBAR, ECOWAS and FAO for their consistent support.
Done at Banjul, the 25th October 2016
Participants