Anti-Graft Fight: NACIWA Calls for Comprehensive Guidelines for Implementation of ECOWAS Protocol

Arising from a three-day Annual General Assembly, the Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West-Africa, NACIWA, has called for the development of comprehensive guidelines for the full implementation of the ECOWAS Protocol on the fight against corruption.

This was contained in a Communique issued in Abuja on Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at the end of deliberations on modalities for deepening the fight against corruption in the West-African sub-region.

In the Communique adopted and signed by all the member states of NACIWA, the Network said that comprehensive guidelines for the implementation of the ECOWAS Protocol on the fight against corruption was necessary to conform with international instruments such as United Nations Convention Against Corruption, UNCAC and the African Union, AU, Convention against Corruption.

The Sixth Annual General Assembly of NACIWA started on Monday, August 19, 2024, with impressive attendance of critical stakeholders in the anti-corruption fight in the West African sub-region. President Bola Ahmed declared the Assembly open urging member states to develop stronger anti-corruption structures to tackle corrupt practices.

Other highlights of the Communique include advocacy for better funding and resourcing of Anti-Corruption agencies in the sub-region, recognizing that adequate human and material resources are essential for the effective discharge of their mandates.

NACIWA in the communique called on the ECOWAS Commission to expedite the establishment of a Technical Commission for the effective implementation of the ECOWAS Protocol on the fight against corruption, offering NACIWA’s expertise and support in this endeavor;

IThe Communique also address the need to harmonize legal and regulatory frameworks across the region to prevent safe havens for corrupt individuals and facilitate more effective cross-border anti-corruption efforts.

Other issues addressed in the Communique include leveraging technology to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in anti-corruption efforts across the region; widespread adoption and utilization of Corruption Risk Assessment (CRA) tools among member institutions to proactively identify and mitigate corruption vulnerabilities; strengthening regional collaboration and cooperation to effectively address the transnational nature of corruption, including improved information sharing and joint operations where appropriate.

The development of the draft ECOWAS Guidelines on Asset Recovery and Borderless Investigation which was presented at the AGA was also contained in the Communique as well as the need to encourage the ECOWAS Commission to conclude the process with input from Member Institutions for its finalization and consideration at the next AGA, among other issues.

The Network specially commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, “for his unwavering support and inspirational statement, which underscores the importance of our mission in combating corruption across the region.” More importantly, it appreciated “the Government of Nigeria for providing a permanent Secretariat for NACIWA and to ECOWAS for hosting the 6th AGA, recognizing their commitment to regional anti-corruption efforts.”