OUAGADOUGOU — The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) is set to lose at least 45 billion FCFA in community levies annually due to the withdrawal of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the Burkinabè Minister in charge of Economy and Finance. In an interview with AIB, Nacanabo highlighted the financial implications of the departure of these countries from the regional bloc.
The minister emphasized not only the significant financial shortfall ECOWAS will face but also mentioned the loss of synergistic benefits that came from the collective efforts of the member states. “ECOWAS will also be impacted because going from 15 to 12 countries necessarily means a shortfall,” Nacanabo remarked, underscoring the broader consequences of the withdrawal.
The exit of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger from ECOWAS on January 28, 2024, was a move to express dissent against what they perceived as the organization’s undue influence by foreign powers, imposition of unfair sanctions, and a deviation from its foundational objectives.
WEST POKOT – In West Pokot, the absence of birth certificates among school-going children is increasingly becoming a barrier to education, as the Kenyan government mandates the possession of a Unique Personal Identifier (UPI) for access to educational support. This requirement has spotlighted the challenges faced by families and schools in remote areas, where obtaining such crucial documentation remains a logistical hurdle.
According to Kenya News Agency, the Deputy County Commissioner (DCC) of Pokot South Sub-county, the lack of birth certificates significantly hampers the process of enrolling children in schools and directly affects the allocation of government funds intended for educational support. During a public participation engagement forum in Sekution village, Pokot South Constituency, Boen emphasized the critical role of a birth certificate in the government’s education system, particularly in planning for school capitation. He highlighted the dilemma that a reduced number of learners registered with the National Education Management Information System (NEMIS) leads to a decrease in government capitation fees, a key component of educational funding.
The situation is particularly dire in Sekution location, a remote area distanced from government offices, which complicates the process of birth certificate acquisition. To address this challenge, Boen has proposed enhancing coordination with the registration office to bring these services closer to the community, facilitating easier access for residents.
Salina Cheptoo, the Head Teacher of Sondany Primary School, echoed Boen’s concerns, pointing out the direct impact of this documentation gap on the school’s operational funding. With a significant portion of students lacking birth certificates, the school faces a shortfall in government capitation fees, constraining its ability to provide educational services effectively. Cheptoo revealed that approximately a quarter of the student population at her school is without birth certificates, leading to a decreased allocation of funds from the government.
The root cause of this issue is attributed to the geographical isolation of the region and the poor state of the road network, which makes the journey to the Registrar of Persons office a daunting task for many residents. This situation has resulted in a backlog at the local registration office and a growing sense of disillusionment among the community members with the process.
In light of these challenges, Cheptoo has called on the Kenya Kwanza government to decentralize the birth certificate issuance process to alleviate the burden on families and ensure that children in West Pokot can access their right to education without unnecessary obstacles. The call for decentralization aims to streamline the registration process, making it more accessible for residents and supporting the educational development of the region.