Accra: The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission, alongside Ghana's Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, recently conducted a three-day national capacity-building workshop focused on the Continental Results Framework (CRF) for Women, Peace and Security (WPS). Held from June 10 to 12, 2025, in Accra, the workshop aimed to support ECOWAS member states in developing strong mechanisms for monitoring and reporting on the implementation of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 and related WPS commitments. The event was part of the broader ECOWAS Peace, Security, and Governance (EPSG) Project, funded by the European Union and the German Government (BMZ), and implemented by GIZ.
According to African Press Organization, Mr. Olatunde Olayemi, speaking on behalf of Dr. Sintiki Tarfa Ugbe, ECOWAS Commission’s Director of Humanitarian and Social Affairs, welcomed participants and reiterated the Commission's dedication to inclusive peace and security. He highlighted the importance of integrating the African Union CRF into a simplified regional framework to improve monitoring, implementation, and reporting on WPS initiatives across West Africa.
Mrs. Josiane Sombo from the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) emphasized civil society's role as key contributors to peace and accountability. She pointed out that the CRF is not just a technical tool but a moral and political commitment, and civil society remains dedicated to embedding evidence-based, inclusive, and collaborative reporting in WPS monitoring systems.
The workshop was attended by over 40 participants, including government officials, civil society representatives, security sector personnel, and technical working group members. Through interactive sessions and practical exercises, attendees enhanced their skills in applying the simplified CRF tool and questionnaire, monitoring WPS indicators, tracking progress, and contributing to national and regional WPS reports. The event concluded with a reinforced commitment to inter-agency collaboration and the integration of the CRF into national monitoring and evaluation systems. Ghana is now part of a group of eight member states, including Côte d'Ivoire, Nigeria, Benin, Liberia, The Gambia, Senegal, and Togo, that have hosted similar CRF trainings under ECOWAS's regional strategy to strengthen WPS accountability mechanisms.