As part of the implementation of Mekrou project, and in order to lay the foundations for proper planning, a socio-economic survey will be carried out on households in the basin area in the 3 countries. An initial technical information and training workshop of country coordinators of these investigations was held in Cotonou from 18 to 20 November 2015.
On 26 March 2015, the Burundi CWP held its ordinary statutory general assembly meeting in Bujumbura to discuss several issues icluding review of progress towards activity achievement for the year 2014 and strategy for the implementation of Bu CWP’s Action Plan for the year 2015.
A team of GWP-WA and CWP Burkina PNE had on June 11, 2015 a visit to assess the level of implementation of work on the site of the WACDEP demonstration project in Burkina Faso. This project involves the drip irrigation techniques for the efficient management of agricultural water for the benefit of vulnerable populations in the municipality of Loumbila in the center of the country.
Since the last visit in April 2015 there has been plowing work, the installation of some drip irrigation and water pumping equipment with solar energy, among others.
In the 2015accounts audit report, the auditor's conclusion was the following: "We believe that the financial report of the Regional Water Partnership for West Africa (GWP/WA) and the CWPs (Burkina and Ghana) accurately reflect the statement and financial position of the Regional Water Partnership for West Africa and the CWPs (Burkina and Ghana) as of 31st December 2015, consistently with the GWP financial procedures.”
The way forward in 2016 is to strive to implement all partially implemented recommendations including those made in 2014 and those made as of 31st December, 2015. It should be noted that almost all new recommendations dating from 31st December 2015 have already been implemented prior to the finalization of the audit report in 2015 in Burkina Faso and for the region.
The Chair of Senegal CWP and three members of the steering committee took part in the various activities related to the celebration of the World Water Day in the countries. The official ceremonies took place in Saint Louis this year. The CWP contributed in finalizing the official communications that were delivered in addition to contributing to the panel discussions. The scientific panel took place on the topic “Water and Employment” and presided by the Minister of Hydraulics and Sanitation, Mr. Mansour FAYE. Two communications were made on the topic one covering national data and the second one reflecting local situation.
TWG 7 Meeting held
The 7th meeting of the WACDEP Technical Working Group (TWG) was held on 28th July, 2015 at the Water Resources Commission (WRC) conference room. The meeting was presided over by Mr. Ben Ampomah, Executive Secretary of WRC. The meeting considered the progress made so far with WACDEP implementation, challenges faced and the way forward to enhance efficiency in the project management. The draft 2015 Semi Annual Report was also discussed and approved during the meeting. Also present at the meeting was the newly appointed Chairman of the GWP-WA Technical Committee, Dr. Yaw Opoku-Ankomah.
The Regional Coordinator took part in the enlarged meeting of the African Network of Basin Organizations (ANBO) Coordination Office and to the meeting of the Project Steering Committee SITWA in Dakar, on 15 to 17 December 2015.
The Global Water Partnership - Mediterranean (GWP-Med) is seeking to hire a National Coordinator in Kosovo for the GEF supported medium-size Project “Enabling transboundary cooperation and integrated water resources management in the White Drin and the extended Drin Basin”.
The Country Water Partnership of Benin held on Friday 26 February 2016 the meeting of its Boards. The context is marked by a drastic reduction of finances due to the suspension of the funding of the Pluriannual support programme to the water and sanitation sector and the IWRM institutionnal progression in Benin.