By Mark Longyen
President, ECOWAS Court of Justice (CCJ), Justice Edward Asante, has called on staff participants to engage in productive dialogue and decision-making at the institution’s 16th administrative and budget retreat.
Justice Asante, who made this known in his address at the event, on Monday, explained that the call was necessary, considering the essential role that budgetary allocations played in the court’s functioning.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the retreat is expected to foster thoughtful discussions, open dialogues, and constructive debates, leveraging participants’ collective wisdom, diverse perspectives, and shared experiences.
“We have to be able to judge all and put our heads together to come up with the best budget.
“When this is presented to the Administration and Finance Committee (AFC) and to the Council of Ministers, they will look at it as a very good budget and approve it for us.
“We know budgetary issues are very important for every institution since that is the mainstay,” he said.
He urged all participants to contribute thoughtfully to the budget discussions, and urged them to deploy collective wisdom and strategic planning during the retreat discussions.
The CCJ President also expressed the court’s intention to advocate for the preservation of its budget, highlighting its reliance on community funding.
According to him, the comprehensive efforts made to collate inputs from all departments and units, will ensure that the proposed budget reflects the diverse needs and priorities of the entire court.
Justice Asante, who also noted that ECOWAS was facing some financial challenges, cautioned participants against overburdening its resources.
He disclosed that administrative and operational costs constituted 80 per cent of CCJ’s budget, leaving limited funds for planned activities, stressing that in spite of the constraints, he reaffirmed the court was committed to its mandate.
“We must all know that the community is now financially weak and therefore we do not have to overburden the Community itself.
“We still have to do our programmes to let people know that the Court is also performing its function.
“Without taking much of our time, I will declare the budget, and administration retreat open,” Asante said.
Also speaking, Dr William Towah, the CCJ’s Director of Administration and Finance, expressed full confidence that the retreat would pave the way for innovative solutions, inspire new ideas, and renew the sense of purpose within the Community Court of Justice.
He said the retreat was a platform to assess the Court’s progress and strategise for the future, and lauded its staff’s collective dedication and diligence, which propelled the institution to new heights, upholding the rule of law.
Towah noted that there were persisting challenges, adding that there was need for continuous improvement, while calling for a critical assessment of the Court’s shortcoming and the identification of areas for enhancement.
“Our collective efforts have earned the respect and trust of our stakeholders, creating a positive impact on the lives of those we serve.
“By embracing these challenges, we can further strengthen our foundation and ensure that the Court remains a beacon of justice and fairness,” he added.
NAN reports that the event was attended by the CCJ’s Vice President, judges, and directors, among other members of staff of the court.(NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Halima Sheji
