Press Release in Cotonou, 25 April 2019 | The 20th Ordinary Assembly of Health Ministers of the ECOWAS region (AHM) will take place from 29 April to 3 May 2019 in Cotonou, in the Republic of Benin. The meeting is being organized by the West African Health Organization (WAHO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health of Benin.
The Assembly of Health Ministers of the ECOWAS region (AHM) is an important annual event for the ECOWAS region for decision-making in the area of health. The five-day meeting will be conducted as follows:
- 29 April 2019, Liaison Officers Meeting: WAHO has representatives in each country and are mostly high ranking officials of the Ministry of Health. They serve as liaison between WAHO and the Ministry of Health and represent WAHO on some assignments in the country. The 29 April meeting is to discuss WAHO’s activities in the countries, reiterate their roles and responsibilities and validate their 2018 Report and action plan for 2019.
- 30 April – 1 st May 2019, Health Experts Meeting: WAHO a technical committee made up of health experts from the 15 ECOWAS member States. This committee reviews WAHO key documents that the approval and adoption of the Ministers of Health.
- 2 May 2019, Partners’ Forum: This is a forum where WAHO traditional and potential partners and donors and brought together to discuss their collaboration with WAHO.
- 3 May 2019, Assembly of Health Ministers: This is the climax of the AHM. This is the meeting that brings together all the 15 Ministers of Health of ECOWAS countries, where key decisions are taken. At the end of the meeting, a Final Communiqué is issued and this contained the list of key decisions and resolutions taken to ensure the wellbeing of the people in the ECOWAS region.
H.E. DR. JAKAYA MRISHO KIKWETE, FORMER PRESIDENT OF TANZANIA AND END MALARIA COUNCIL MEMBER will deliver the Keynote Address at the official opening ceremony on 3 May 2019.