By Foday Moriba Conteh
The National Disaster Management Agency (NDMA) of Sierra Leone is actively participating in a four-day ECOWAS-led capacity-building workshop designed to enhance Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems and financial reporting for humanitarian interventions across West Africa. Representing Sierra Leone at the workshop is Mohamed L. Bah, the NDMA’s Director of Communications, who joins other key focal points from ECOWAS member states for this essential training from November 5-8, 2024 in Zuma Rock Resort, Naija State, Nigeria.
Hosted at the scenic Zuma Rock Resort in Nigeria, this workshop aligns with ECOWAS’s ongoing mission to improve the coordination, efficiency, and transparency of regional humanitarian efforts. By equipping participants with skills in M&E systems and financial accountability, ECOWAS aims to empower its member states with the capacity to drive impactful, data-driven decision-making and efficient resource management in response to disasters and other humanitarian crises.
In her opening remarks, Dr. Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, Director of Humanitarian Affairs at the ECOWAS Commission, applauded the dedication of representatives from member states. She highlighted the significance of this training in fostering a consistent ECOWAS-specific M&E framework that supports humanitarian interventions. Dr. Ugbe commended participants for their role in implementing flood recovery efforts from the 2021-2022 program and expressed confidence that this workshop would reinforce their skills in monitoring, evaluation, and financial transparency.
“ECOWAS remains steadfast in its commitment to supporting member states with the tools, knowledge, and platforms necessary to improve crisis response, foster accountability, and enable a more coordinated approach to regional humanitarian challenges,” she noted.
During the training, participants are introduced to the ECOWAS M&E platform and its integration within national frameworks. Through in-depth sessions, they are learning how to streamline reporting processes, improve inter-agency coordination, and adopt data-driven strategies to boost the efficacy and transparency of humanitarian responses.
The workshop agenda includes interactive exercises, collaborative learning opportunities, and in-depth discussions on best practices. ECOWAS will provide participants with user manuals, technical documentation, and access to a support helpdesk for ongoing technical assistance. To ensure lasting impact, the ECOWAS Commission will conduct progress assessments and regular follow-ups with member states, supporting the sustained adoption of the M&E system.
In addition to technical training, participants are also reviewing humanitarian project proposals, specifically those related to the internally displaced persons (IDPs) within ECOWAS countries. This aspect of the workshop will allow member states to refine their project designs, ensuring that resources are allocated to high-impact initiatives aligned with regional priorities.
Mr. Bah’s active participation at the workshop underscores Sierra Leone’s dedication to improving disaster response capabilities through strategic regional partnerships. The knowledge and best practices gained through this training will support the NDMA’s efforts to implement a more robust M&E system within Sierra Leone’s own disaster management framework, ultimately contributing to a safer and more resilient country.
As the workshop draws to a close on November 8, ECOWAS remains optimistic that the skills and systems shared will lead to stronger, more responsive humanitarian action across West Africa. Through collaborative efforts such as these, member states like Sierra Leone continue to build a unified, effective approach to addressing the challenges of disaster response and humanitarian aid in the region.
