ECOWAS BOOSTS AGRICULTURE AND EDUCATION IN GUINEA-BISSAU THROUGH CROSS-BORDER COOPERATION SUPPORT PROGRAMME

The ECOWAS Commission, in collaboration with the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, has achieved significant milestones in enhancing the living standards of Community citizens in the border areas of São Domingos and Tendinto. These efforts are part of the ECOWAS Cross-Border Cooperation Support Programme (ECBCSP) for 2023–2027.

Key initiatives include the provision of fenced farmlands equipped with twelve (12) boreholes to support women in the agriculture sector and the delivery of one hundred and thirty-four (134) desk chairs to schools in the Quinara region to improve access to quality education.

During a five (5) day Monitoring and Evaluation mission in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau from 13 to 17 January 2025 of the implemented ECBCSP (2023-2027) projects, the Director of Free Movement of Persons and Migration of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Albert Siaw-Boateng, on behalf of the Commissioner for Economic Affairs and Agriculture, Mrs Massandje Toure-Litse, expressed his satisfaction with the quality and impact of the implemented projects. He stated “these initiatives foster integration among countries sharing borders while empowering women to improve their livelihoods and support their families. The income generated will help mothers afford school fees, ensuring better opportunities for the next generation.”

He highlighted that the fencing of eight (8) hectares of farmland in São Domingos and 4.5 hectares in Tendinto will protect crops from damage caused by livestock and other animals. “In total, one thousand fifty-six (1,056) women, that is one hundred and fifty (150) from São Domingos and nine hundred and six (906) from Tendinto have directly benefited from this project and have also received farming equipment and seeds for production,” he added.

Additionally, Mr. Siaw-Boateng commended the registration of the farmlands under the Lâmpada do Campo Agricultural Cooperative, which ensures the protection of women’s rights to utilise the land.

Mrs. Cristina da Silva Pedreira, Director General of Planning, Economy, and Regional Integration and Head of the ECOWAS National Office of Guinea-Bissau, acknowledged the ECOWAS Commission’s contributions and stressed the need to sustain the momentum gained through the ECBCSP. “Addressing other challenges faced by Community citizens in border areas remains a priority,” she remarked.

The M&E mission also featured the participation of Mr. Abasse Embaló, Secretary of State for Planning and Regional Integration, and Ambassador Ngozi Ukaeje, ECOWAS Resident Representative to the Republic of Guinea-Bissau.

The ECOWAS Cross-Border Cooperation Support Programme is a Multi-Sectoral Development Programme that works with local communities in border regions to ensure social cohesion, regional construction and sustainable development. Within the framework of the programme, the ECOWAS Commission had disbursed a one hundred thousand US Dollars ($100,000) subvention to Member States towards the implementation identified cross-border projects.