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The Network of Anti-Corruption Institutions in West Africa (NACIWA) is asking for a comprehensive guideline that would ensure that the ECOWAS Protocol on the fight against corruption is implemented to the letter. This came out in their annual general assembly that ended with communique released on the 20th of August, 2024 in Abuja.
NACIWA stressed on how important it was to develop policies and guidelines designed to interface between ECOWAS Protocol and international anti-corruption frameworks like UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and AU Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption.
In addition, NACIWA also called upon more funding and resources being channeled into anti-corruption agencies in West Africa noting that adequate assistance remains critical if these institutions are to fulfill their mandates. Furthermore, it urged about how essential it was for the region to harmonize laws governing corrupt practices.
Furthermore, NACIWA also urged ECOWAS Commission to establish Technical Commission within few days so as to assist in implementing this protocol where they undertook provide technical support. Among other key recommendations mentioned were initiatives aimed at fostering regional partnership by using Corruption Risk Assessment (CRA) tools to identify and mitigate potential corruption risks.
NACIWA commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his support, recognizing the Nigerian government's contribution to hosting the assembly and providing a permanent secretariat for the network.
The assembly underscored the importance of finalizing the ECOWAS Guidelines on Asset Recovery and Borderless Investigation, with input from member institutions, as a critical step in the ongoing fight against corruption in the region.
