The West African Health Organisation (WAHO) is organising a regional workshop in Cotonou from 26 to 30 January 2026 to update the harmonised criteria for the accreditation, regulation and evaluation of health sciences training institutions and programmes in the ECOWAS region.
Launched on Monday, 26 January 2026, this workshop, which brings together deans and principals of training institutions, leaders of professional colleges, and regional and international experts, marks a decisive step in strengthening the quality of human resources training in the health sector in West Africa.
In his opening address, the Minister of Health of Benin, Professor Benjamin HOUNKPATIN, represented by his Chief of Staff, Mr. Petas AKOGBETO, welcomed the choice of Cotonou as the venue for this meeting and emphasised the strategic importance of the workshop for the future of health training in the region. He recalled that the meeting was more than just a technical event, but a decisive moment for the future of training and health systems in West Africa. He emphasised the need to build credible, harmonised and internationally recognised knowledge so that certificates issued in the ECOWAS region are a guarantee of quality and regional mobility.
Reaffirming Benin's commitment, he assured the Government's support for the implementation of the recommendations resulting from the workshop, recalling that investing in health training means investing in the life and future of nations.
The Director General of WAHO, Dr Melchior Athanase J. C. AÏSSI, contextualised the workshop within the historical framework of the Alma-Ata Declaration and the ongoing challenge of achieving universal health coverage in West Africa. He gave a frank assessment of the persistent weaknesses in health systems, particularly the shortage, poor distribution and low motivation of human resources in health, which are major factors in external migration.
He emphasised the need to train, retain and value health workers, recalling that well-trained professionals save lives. He also highlighted the main actions carried out by WAHO, including the harmonisation of curricula, the development of common modules, capacity building, needs mapping, the promotion of continuing education and advocacy for improved working conditions.
He finally called for enhanced cooperation between Member States, partners and institutions to ensure quality and sustainable healthcare for the people of ECOWAS.
Other speakers included Dr Joan H. E. E. SHEPHERD, President of the West African Postgraduate College of Nurses and Midwives and representative of Sierra Leone, the Chair of ECOWAS; Professor Ulrich Bidossessi VODOUHE, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences in Cotonou, representing the deans of health sciences faculties; Professor Fredrick UGWUMBA, Secretary General of the West African College of Surgeons (WACS), representing the health sciences colleges; and Professor Agnon A. Koffi BALOGOU, President of the Regional Council for Health Professionals’ Education (RCHPE).
At the end of this workshop, the experts are called upon to propose updated, robust criteria adapted to regional realities, with a view to building a solid, credible and internationally recognised health training system for the benefit of West African populations.
