PNoWB West Africa held its General Assembly in Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire on July 5-7, 2007

General Assembly of the West Africa Chapter
of the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank (PNoWB)
Abidjan Côte d’Ivoire, July 5-7, 2007

You will find enclosed an article published in the World Bank West Africa Regional Magazine about the General Assembly of the PNoWB West Africa Chapter held last month in Abidjan Côte d'Ivoire:

Article in French and English

Summary Report

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Some 50 parliamentarians from 14 out of the 16 West African countries participating in the West Africa Chapter of the Parliamentary Network on the World Bank (PNoWB) met in Abidjan from July 5 to July 7, 2007 at the occasion of the first General Assembly of the chapter, one year after its launch in Bamako on July 2006. The chapter elected Nigerian MP, Ms. Mercy Almona Isei, as its new President, replacing Mr. Khalifa Sall from Senegal.

In addition to the election of its new bureau the meeting finalized the Chapter's constitution and discussed its strategic plan for the years to come. The Constitution reiterated the Chapter's objectives which are the following:

• Increasing Members' of Parliaments (MPs)' knowledge on the World Bank through PNoWB local chapters in all countries in the region,
• Deepening of MP's understanding of and influence on the poverty strategy process and World Bank activities at the country level,
• Promotion of a policy dialogue among MPs and the Bank's (but also other IFIs' and donors') country and regional offices,
• Mobilizing MPs to take actions to reduce poverty. Chapter members agreed to focus on the 4 following areas: HIV/AIDS and malaria, Peace and Reconstruction, Agriculture, and Education. Committees of experts will be put in place to come up with a two-year business plan for each of the 4 areas.

New elected Chair of PNoWB West Africa Hon. Mercy Almona Isei
(MP Nigeria) and Vice-Chair, Hon Daleba Zozorro Jules, MP, Côte d'Ivoire

Parliamentarians from the 14 countries in the West Africa region (Benin, Burkina, Cape Verde, Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, Ghana, Bissau Guinea , Liberia, Mali, Mauritania Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Togo) gathered in Abidjan in the Hemicycle of the National Assembly of Cote d'Ivoire. The World Bank was also well represented at the meeting: staff from the Cote d'Ivoire, Sénégal, Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Mauritania and Paris offices attended the conference which was an opportunity for the Bank to present its re-engagement strategy in Cote d'Ivoire, and to explain the institution's overall mission. Bernard Harborne, the World Bank's Country manager for Cote d'Ivoire, outlined the Post Conflict assistance Program (PCAP) for Cote d'Ivoire : a US$ 120 million grant that will help finance demobilization, reintegration and community rehabilitation if approved by the WB Board. In addition, Harborne stressed the watchdog role of MPs in the promotion of transparency, governance and in the fight against corruption.

Ousmane Diagana, the World Bank Country Manager for Niger, presented the overall mission of the Bank by focussing on the evolution of its strategic approaches and trends.
Since its inception in the 40's the Bank has moved from reconstruction to infrastructure and industries, from agriculture to basic needs and education, from structural adjustment to economies in transition and to global partnerships following the turn of the millenium. Diagana also encouraged parliamentarians to strengthen partnerships with the AfDB, and IMF country offices in the sub-region.

• The African Development Bank sent its regional representative who stressed the importance for the AfDB to engage parliamentarians, and its strong willingness to partner with the PNoWB West Africa chapter.

• The National Assembly of Cote d'Ivoire had strong ownership of the assembly, and funded 1/2 of the costs incurred for the event in addition to being represented by a delegation of over 15 high level parliamentarians (Deputy speakers, Presidents of Commission). They thanked the chapter for agreeing to host the meeting in Cote d'Ivoire, at a time when their country is at crossroads, trying to rebuild after 5 years of war. " There could not be greater testimony and support for Cote d'Ivoire as it walks towards Peace and Reconstruction' said MP from Cote d'Ivoire Daleba Zozorro Jules, newly elected Vice Chair of the network.

• Discussions about the strategic plan and the by laws of the chapters were very intense and all MPs reinforced their strong willingness to partner with the World Bank by agreeing on a yearly work program in their different countries towards effective poverty reduction.

• Fund-raising was also an important item of discussion, members agreed that for the network to keep its independence it is important that it raises funds through diverse sources and not only the Bank. A sub committee will be in charge of fund-raising for the chapter at the regional level seeking funds through bilateral and multilateral donors but also foundations).

• Adoption of the strategic plan and by laws were followed by the election of a board comprised of 7 members:

- President: Hon. Mercy Amona Isei, Nigeria
- Vice President: Hon. Daleba Zozoro Jules, Cote D'Ivoire
- Secretary General: Hon. Fernando Gomez, Guinee Bissau
- Vice Secretary: Hon. Nana Mint Cheikhna , Mauritania
- Treasurer: Hon. Appiah Ofori, Ghana
- Vice Treasurer: Hon. Khadidiatou Diedhiou, Senegal

2 additional members of the board are:

- Hon. Kuku Dorbor, Liberia
- Hon. Paulin Tomadaga, Bénin

World Bank Country Manager for Côte d'Ivoire Bernard Harborne
and AfDB Resident Representative

• A special effort was made when nominating board representatives to reflect the linguistic diversity of the West Africa region ( English, French, Portuguese and Arabic are the 4 major languages) but also gender, 4 out of the 8 members of the board are women.

• Parliamentarians paid tribute to the outgoing chair Khalifa Sall of Senegal and praised him for his dedication to the network and outstanding leadership since the chapter was created a year ago. Participating MPs also praised the Bank's support, both the regions' country directors and country teams who have funded all the participants' travel and the Paris based EXT Parliamentary team for coordinating the event and financially contributing.

The event got very good media coverage in the major newspapers of the local press and television.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Group of woman MPs and Bank staff