Development of the risk assessment tool in the DGIS project that seeks to enhance food and water security in the SAHEL and Horn of Africa region will be a crucial element in the efforts to effectively realize the project objectives.
These were the words of Dr. Yacouba Ouedraogo, the new Project Manager for the DGIS project who was officially unveiled during a meeting with staff at the ICRAF campus in Nairobi on 30th May, 2014.
Mr. Yacouba praised the efforts that have been made in setting up the country teams and implementing the project in the targeted sites. He emphasized that “Risk analysis will not only improve the decision making processes but it will assist the project to develop mitigation strategies aimed at ensuring funds allocated are spent efficiently and effectively”.
The meeting was also attended by the ICRAF’s Regional Coordinator for East and Southern Africa, Dr. Jeremias Mowo who called on county teams to uphold teamwork which would be the key to streamlining the rolling out of activities. This, he said would help fast track project activities earmarked for the inception year.
He further explained that ICRAF had a critical role in making the project a success. “There’s no development intervention that can prosper without involving the research aspect. The two interdependent”
His sentiments were further echoed by ICRAF’s Nodal leader for the SAHEL region, Dr. Antoine Kalinganire who highlighted the need for the two regions – SAHEL and Horn of Africa - to work together with the aim of ensuring the project improves the livelihoods of people in the two regions.
Also present in the meeting was ICRAF country representative for Kenya, Dr. Jonathan Muriuki who updated the Project manager about the progress of the project, the challenges witnessed and the pending activities to be undertaken during the inception year.
The meeting was also attended by ICRAF staff holding key positions in the project including: Maimbo Malesu, Jan De Leeuw, Judith Oduol, Joseph Tanui, Hellen Ochieng, Grace Muinga, Rose Onyango among others.
Before joining ICRAF, Yacouba was a Country Director for Concern Universal in Guinea where he was responsible for providing strategic leadership and management in developing Concern Universal programme in the Guinea Programme.
