L@ Chronique March 2016

The elaboration of the study on the "Identification of development priorities in the Mékrou transboundary basin" in each country (Benin, Burkina and Niger) with workshops for the restitution and validation has been delayed because of some practical issues. The contracts were signed with some delay with each consultants and some national issues linked to the political and social situation couldn’t allow work to go on correctly.

The Ghana Country Water Partnership (CWP-Ghana), in collaboration with the Federation of Environmental Journalists (FEJ) of the Ghana Institute of Journalism (GIJ) organised a “Learn and Share” Seminar under the theme “Dynamics of Environmental Reporting”. The seminar was held on 10^th March, 2016 at GIJ Seminar Room.

In the 2015accounts audit report, the auditor's conclusion was the following: "We believe that the financial report of the Regional Water Partnership for West Africa (GWP/WA) and the CWPs (Burkina and Ghana) accurately reflect the statement and financial position of the Regional Water Partnership for West Africa and the CWPs (Burkina and Ghana) as of 31^st December 2015, consistently with the GWP financial procedures.”

The way forward in 2016 is to strive to implement all partially implemented recommendations including those made in 2014 and those made as of 31^st December, 2015. It should be noted that almost all new recommendations dating from 31^st December 2015 have already been implemented prior to the finalization of the audit report in 2015 in Burkina Faso and for the region.

Ivory Coast has celebrated World Water Day 2016 and the second edition of the National Water Week from March 22 to 24. The topic of celebration was inspired from the global theme: "Ivory Coast, emerging in 2020: what contributions of the water sector to creating jobs and wealth? »

The Country Water Partnership of Burkina is looking for a site for its Integrated Drought Management Project (IDMP) pilot demonstration action. On March 21, 2016, a meeting was held with the authorities and technical services of the municipality of Komki –ipala to discuss the modalities, strategy and project start-up timing. After discussions it was agreed that the CWP should meet the Village Chief and landowners to explain the content and expectations and get their commitment despite the initial introduction that was already done. This meeting was done on March 25 in collaboration with the IDMP project Manager at reginal level.

The water awards is the last initiative of the Country Water Partnership (CWP) of Burkina Faso. The aim of the Water and Sanitation Awards is to enable the identification of relevant actions in the water and sanitation sector, in order to acknowledge and honor the efforts of individuals and legal entities which are either at the base or contributed to the achievement of these actions. The ambition is to give visibility and promote water and sanitation as central to sustainable development in the country.

The CWP Burkina organized a guided tour on Friday, March 4, 2016 on the pilot project on drip irrigation using solar energy on the site of Ramintenga in the municipality of Loumbila.  Representatives of the town hall of Loumbila, the Regional Chamber of Agriculture (CRA) of the Central Plateau, the Regional Directorate in charge of Agriculture, hydraulics, sanitation and Food security (DRAHASA), the Malgb-Zanga Association, the local Water committee of Northern Massili, members of the SIDWAYA group, and CWP-Burkina took part in the tour.

On Tuesday, March 22, 2016, the 23^rd edition of the World Water Day was celebrated by the National Institute of water (INE) and CWP Benin with support from CARE, Abms PSI and water Company FIFA. A panel debate was organized on the Campus of the University of Abomey Calavi (UAC), in the presence of the Rector of the University Brice SINSIN on the theme “Water sector in Benin: What employment opportunities for young people?" in relation to the global topic “Water and Employment."

Development of a roadmap to implement recommendations of the national consultation on water and food security in support of agriculture development programs in Africa

The Country Water Partnership of Benin, with financial support from the German technical cooperation agency GIZ through the ProSEHA Programme, organized from 24 to 25 March 2016 a restitution workshop of the results and the development process for the implementation of the roadmap recommendations of the national consultation on water and food security in support of agriculture development programs in Africa (PDDA).

This training is the follow up of the previous session held in 2015, and is part of WASH activities in schools, a project implemented by the NGO Protos and the CWP under the MYP and CASCADE programs. It is part of the promotion of Water Lawyers Clubs (through the creation and animation of School Health Committees) for an education for the adoption of best practices in the rational management of water, hygiene and sanitation in schools based on the peer approach.