ECOWAS begins gender equality review in Accra to strengthen institutional reforms

The ECOWAS Commission has opened a three-day technical meeting in Accra to review and validate evidence for its Gender Equality Seal Programme Implementation (GES-PI) self-assessment process as part of efforts to strengthen gender equality and institutional accountability across the regional bloc.

The meeting, being held from Monday, August 3, to Wednesday, August 5, has brought together representatives of ECOWAS directorates, departments and specialised institutions to assess progress, identify gaps and finalise an action plan for implementing the Gender Equality Seal across the Commission.

The exercise is expected to culminate in a validated self-assessment report and a roadmap to guide reforms over the coming year as the Commission works towards attaining the Gold Level of the Gender Equality Seal certification.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Director of the ECOWAS Gender Development Centre, Sandra Oulaté Fattoh, said the initiative forms part of a partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the German Agency for International Cooperation (GIZ) to ensure the Commission leads by example on gender equality.

"We need to practice better what we are preaching. We implement programmes for our citizens, but within the institution, we need to take a closer look at gender equality," she said.

Ms Fattoh noted that the meeting would help finalise an implementation plan covering all ECOWAS directorates and institutions, including the ECOWAS Parliament, the ECOWAS Court of Justice, GIABA and the West African Health Organisation (WAHO).

She also commended Ghana for its leadership in advancing gender initiatives and inter-ministerial collaboration, describing the country as a model within the sub-region.

On his part, the ECOWAS Resident Representative to Ghana, Ambassador Mohammed Lawan Gana, described the Gender Equality Seal as a strategic instrument for strengthening governance and institutional performance.

"The ECOWAS Gender Equality Seal is more than an assessment tool. It is a strategic mechanism for promoting institutional excellence by integrating gender equality into policies, programmes, governance systems, human resource management, service delivery, and organisational culture," he stated.

He urged participants to ensure the validation process remains credible, transparent and evidence-based so that its outcomes can effectively guide reforms and strengthen accountability across ECOWAS institutions.

Also speaking at the opening ceremony, the Acting Secretary General of the ECOWAS Commission, Muazu Umaru, said the meeting presents an opportunity for the Commission to assess its own performance on gender equality and take practical steps to improve implementation.

"The issue is, are we practicing what we preach? That's the issue, and today we are here to interrogate ourselves to see whether we are absolutely practicing what we preach," he said.

Mr Umaru acknowledged that the Commission still has work to do in implementing its gender policies but stressed that the self-assessment should be viewed as a starting point rather than a final verdict.

He pledged the support of his office to provide the visibility, resources and institutional backing needed to achieve the objectives of the Gender Equality Seal Programme.

The Gender Equality Seal Programme provides a structured framework for assessing institutional performance across five dimensions and 40 benchmarks, with certification awarded at bronze, silver and gold levels.

ECOWAS hopes the process will strengthen internal governance systems and position the Commission as a model for gender-responsive institutions across West Africa.