The World Customs Organization (WCO) is pleased to announce that the first phase (2012-2014) of the West African Customs Administrations Modernization (WACAM) project, funded by Sweden, has been successfully completed with the delivery of the final regional event held in Banjul, Gambia from the 26th to the 28th of November 2014.
During this three-day event, the WCO together with delegates from the Economic Community Of West African States (ECOWAS) Secretariat, WCO Regional Office for Capacity Building (ROCB) Abidjan, WCO Regional Training Centre (RTC)-Abuja and 11 West African Member-Administrations1 reviewed the results achieved, identified lessons learned as well as discussed the way forward for the Phase II of the project.
This event was particularly important for West Africa as it allowed the region to appreciate the achievements made by selected Customs Administrations under the WACAM Project and to identify these countries as regional leaders in specific fields.
Accordingly, the meeting recognized that the Gambia Revenue Authority and Burkina Faso will be the regional leaders in the field of Human Resource Management (HRM) modernization. Both have developed and started using key strategic HRM tools (Competency Framework, Job Catalogue, Job Descriptions, HR Strategy, HR Strategic Board. etc.).
The Ghana Revenue Authority and Cape Verde will be the regional leaders in terms of Stakeholder Engagement as they had made great progress in that field. Examples of achievements include the formulation of a stakeholder engagement strategy, establishment of working groups with stakeholders, establishment of consultative committees at key Customs posts, development of communication tools and products.
Guinea-Bissau and Mali highlighted their successes in the field of Donor Engagement and received the backing of the region as well.
During this final regional event, the WCO and its West African counterparts under the WACAM Project have highlighted the importance for the WACAM Project Phase II to continue and build on capacity-building efforts in the region. A future focus will be in the fields of HRM and Stakeholder Engagement, as well as include further support in the area of Strategic Management. This planning and related activities builds on Phase I achievements to enhance the region’s capacity to respond to the challenges of a rapidly changing global trade environment.
The WCO is looking forward to supporting West African Customs Administrations under Phase II of the project and is convinced that further successes can be achieved in the region!
For more information, please contact Mr. Richard Chopra (Richard.chopra@wcoomd.org ).
1 Burkina Faso, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, Mali, Nigeria, Niger, Senegal and Togo