Economic Communities of The West African States: Concurrently Embraced a sweeping Regional Strategy for Livestock Development across its Constituent States

By Abdul Rahman Bangura-

NEW AFRICA DAILY NEWS (NADN) Freetown, Sierra Leone– The conclusion was driven during a mixed ministerial symposium followed by Agriculture Ministers from ECOWAS nations, comprising Nigeria, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Liberia, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, Sierra Leone, Togo, Benin Republic, Chad, and Mauritania.

Chairman of ECOWAS – President Bola Ahmed Tinubu represented by Aliyu Sabi Abdullahi – Nigeria’s Minister of State for Agriculture and Food Security accentuated the significance of vigorous livestock procedures for improving the stability of ECOWAS assemblies. Abdullahi underscored that the strategy is crucial not only for increasing the region’s GDP but also for fostering market integration and improving production systems.

In streak with President Tinubu’s commitment to expanding livestock husbandry in Nigeria, he has inaugurated a devoted Ministry of Livestock Development. This initiative strives to promote the livestock sector, lessen imports, create jobs, and minimize regional dissensions.

Participants at the conference also emphasized the significance of incorporating women and youth in the strategy to ensure extensive stakeholder involvement.

Alain Sy Traoré, Director of Agricultural and Rural Development at ECOWAS, presented a summary of the regional strategy. He expressed that, the preliminary purpose is to improve productivity and secure sustainable livestock systems to fulfill the thriving ultimatum for animal protein and strengthen the solidity of populations in West Africa and the Sahel.

The strategy concentrates on four main areas: enhancing economic potential, improving governance, promoting health, and creating a favorable environment for public and private investments in livestock. Traoré stressed the necessity for regional collaboration, engaging political leaders, multi-stakeholder consultations, and technical execution for the strategy enactment.

He furthermore cited the challenges recognized by member states, having the breadth to fulfill the rising need for animal protein, regional demographic pressures, insecurity, and farmer-herder conflicts.

The adoption of this strategy points out a substantial degree towards sustainable livestock development and regional stability in West Africa and the Sahel.

New Africa Daily News Abdul Rahman Bangura Reports, Africa Correspondent