Report on the activities of the sub-regional development centre-west Africa for the period May 1999-October 2001 and programme of work for the biennium 2002-2003

Abstract

The programme of the Centre is consistent with the revised resolution 830 (MFCI) of 27 April 1998 adopted by the Ministerial Follow-up Committee of the Conference of Ministers responsible for Economic and Social Development and Planning. In accordance with the strategic direction of the Economic Commission for Africa (EGA), this revision established a new sub-programme - "Supporting sub-regional activities for development". The activities involve cooperation on important development issues with the sub regional groupings and IGOs, namely, the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), the West African Economic Monetary Union (UEMOA), the Mano River Union (MRU) and the Permanent Inter-State Committee on Drought Control in the Sahel (CILSS). The enrollment of boys in schools and colleges are still far higher than that of girls even with the providing of scholarships in some countries for girls' education. Guaranteed scholarship in some countries does not cover the school materials and uniforms. Many parents are too poor to afford these expensive items; hence they revert to making a choice of sending mainly boys to school.