The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS Court) has embarked on a new innovation aimed at improving its operations.
Justice Edward Amoako Asante, President of the Community Court, made this statement while receiving Diane Holo-Sacramento, Chairperson of the Community Audit Committee, at the Court in Abuja, Nigeria.
Justice Asante emphasised the Court’s initiatives aimed at enhancing its operations, including the Electronic Case Management System (ECMS), which will be deployed in September this year and is intended to cut expenses for lawyers and their clients.
He disclosed that the Court conducts training programs for lawyers and government agencies to enhance their understanding of the Court’s procedures.
Despite these efforts, Justice Asante noted that the court is still faced with the challenges of staffing and resource limitations and called for increased support to address these issues and ensure the effective functioning of the Court.
Justice Asante extended a warm welcome to the Audit Committee members, acknowledged the importance of their visit, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to discuss various issues with the Audit Committee, emphasising the Court’s commitment to transparency and accountability.
The president of the Community Court who reaffirmed the Court’s commitment to following audit guidelines also emphasised the importance of collaboration and guidance in achieving the shared goal of serving the community effectively.
Justice Asante introduced the key members of the ECOWAS Court team, including the Vice President, other judges, the Chief Registrar and the Director of Administration and Finance.
In her address, Diane Holo-Sacramento, Chairperson of the Audit Committee, expressed her appreciation for the warm reception. She introduced the Audit Committee, which comprised members from Senegal, Benin, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Guinea Bissau. Holo-Sacramento highlighted the Committee’s role in overseeing financial control, internal controls, and risk assessment within ECOWAS institutions.
The Chairperson of the Audit Committee commended the ECOWAS Court for its efforts in complying with audit conditions and maintaining high standards. She acknowledged the Court’s exemplary performance compared to other institutions and encouraged continued adherence to audit recommendations to further strengthen their operations.
Since their mandate began in November 2022, the committee has been actively engaging with all ECOWAS institutions to ensure compliance with established procedures and processes, she noted.
The meeting marked the first official engagement between the Court and the Audit Committee, signifying a significant step towards enhanced collaboration and oversight.
