The Africa Centre for Media and Information Literacy (AFRICMIL), with backing from the MacArthur Foundation, has initiated a two-day sub-regional conference in Abuja. The primary goal of this conference is to enhance whistleblowing frameworks and advocate for the protection of whistleblowers across West Africa.
The theme of the conference is “Reducing Corruption in West Africa: The Importance of Whistleblowing and Whistleblower Protection Legislations.” This event aims to tackle the significant legal gaps that exist for whistleblowers in the 15-member states of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
At the opening ceremony, Chido Onumah, the Coordinator of AFRICMIL, voiced his concerns about the slow progress in the region. He pointed out that Ghana remains the only country within ECOWAS that has implemented a whistleblower protection law.
Onumah expressed disappointment over the minimal efforts made by member states to establish such legal protections. He stated, “It is embarrassing that despite ECOWAS’s strong commitment to promoting transparent and accountable governance, little has been done to enact whistleblower protection laws.”
Additionally, various anti-corruption and accountability organizations have raised alarms about the absence of legal safeguards for whistleblowers in Nigeria and other ECOWAS nations. This lack of protection hinders the fight against corruption and discourages individuals from coming forward with critical information.
During the conference, the Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), represented by Chief of Staff Michael Nzekwe, emphasized the importance of legislative collaboration. He stressed the need for comprehensive whistleblower laws to ensure better protection for those who report wrongdoing.
Read also: ECOWAS Urges Protesters to Heed Tinubu’s Call For Dialogue
Mr. Cheikh Toure, the Country Representative for the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) in Nigeria, also underscored the necessity of robust reporting and protection systems. He highlighted that these systems are crucial in the battle against corruption.
Toure concluded by stating, “A strong whistleblower framework is a cornerstone of institutional accountability, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal 16.” His remarks reinforced the importance of establishing effective mechanisms to protect whistleblowers and promote transparency in governance.
