The Country Director of IFAD, Mrs Dede Ekoue has said that the current portfolio of IFAD’S West Africa and Central Africa Region consists of 62 programs in 23 countries with a total financing amount of approximately USD 4 billion, of which IFAD contributes approximately USD 1.9 billion.
Mrs Ekoue states this the Regional Training Workshop in Financial Management for IFAD-FUNDED projects for Anglophone West and Central Africa.
She said the contribution of IFAD to attaining the Sustainable Development Goals depends primarily on the successful implementation of IFAD-funded projects and programs.
“The primary objectives of the workshop are to discuss the practical implementation of the reforms (specifically the Interim Financial Report and disbursements); Train projects on the Use of the Financial Execution (FE) module of the IFAD Client Portal (ICP) for submitting financial reports and linking to Was; strengthen understanding of lFAD’s fiduciary management procedures; discuss key FMD-WCA themes and Issues identify obstacles encountered during project implementation and propose solutions to these obstacles”, she said.
The workshop will also provide avenue for participants to enhance their knowledge on efficiency and effectiveness in utilizing donor funding and demonstrating value for money for tax payers money of countries that contribute to IFAD.
The Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr Ernest Umakhihe who was represented by a Director at the Ministry, Mr Taminu Ibrahim commended IFAD for its continuous support and partnership for the government of Nigeria in advancing agriculture in Nigeria and Africa.
“As you all know, West African and Central Africa is a region of great diversity of potentials but also of great challenges and opportunities.
“The region is home for about 400 million people of whom about 60 per cent live in the rural areas and depend on agriculture for their livelihoods. Agriculture is also the key contributor to the region’s economic growth, trade and food security”, he said.
Dr Umakhihe said the region is however faced by many constraints such as climate change, conflict, instability, poverty, inequality, malnutrition and diseases.
These challenges according to him require concerted and coordinated efforts from all the stakeholders including government, regional organizations, development partners, civil societies and private sector.
“This is why our ministry has actively engaged in supporting the implementation of regional strategic framework for agricultural transformation in West and Central Africa which was endorsed by the Head of States and governments of ECOWAS, ECCS and UEMOA in 2016”, he said.
