West Africa Mission – Stories of Implementation and Impact

Through the RÉUSSIR project, funded by Global Affairs Canada, the TAP initiative supports the Ministère de l’Éducation nationale du Sénégal (Ministry of National Education of Senegal) in advancing a more inclusive and equitable education system. With the expertise of Pascale Buist and Hugues Lavoie from C2D Services, the initiative focuses on strengthening teaching practices in reading and mathematics, supporting student retention, and gaining a clearer understanding of the barriers that limit girls’ access to education.

In Dakar, the team met with key departments of the Ministère de l’Éducation nationale—including the Direction de la Planification et de la Réforme de l’Éducation ( Directorate of Planning and Education Reform), the Direction de l’Enseignement Élémentaire (Directorate of Elementary Education), the Direction de l’Enseignement Moyen et Secondaire Général  (Directorate of General Middle and Secondary Education), and the Cellule genre et équité (Gender and Equity Unit)—to review the implementation of tools, plans, and strategies developed through the technical assistance initiative.

Alongside technical discussions, the mission also had a communications component: collecting visual content and testimonials to illustrate the tangible outcomes of the partnership. Through interviews, shared reflections on collaboration, and stories of change, one key takeaway emerged: the unanimous recognition and sincere appreciation expressed by Senegalese partners for the Canadian technical team from C2D Services—particularly for the work of Mr. Hugues Lavoie.

The mission concluded with a meeting at the residence of H.E. Marcel LeBlanc, Ambassador of Canada to Senegal, where discussions focused on the TAP-EDM initiative and upcoming communication strategies.

Stakeholders and partners met:

• Ministère de l’Éducation nationale du Sénégal (Ministry of National Education of Senegal)
• Direction de la Planification et de la Réforme de l’Éducation (DPRE) – Directorate of Planning and Education Reform
• Direction de l’Enseignement Élémentaire (DEE) – Directorate of Elementary Education
• Direction de l’Enseignement Moyen et Secondaire Général (DEMSG) – Directorate of General Middle and Secondary Education
• Cellule genre et équité – Gender and Equity Unit
• Projet de Service d’appui sur le terrain (PSAT) – Field Support Service Project
• Embassy of Canada to Senegal

In Côte d’Ivoire, the TAP initiative supports the Direction générale de la coopération au développement (DGCOD) — General Directorate for Development Cooperation — of the Ministère du Plan et du Développement (Ministry of Planning and Development) in improving the coordination and monitoring of international aid. With the support of Canadian experts Sébastien Hamel and Michael Wodzicki from Nexus Cooperation, the initiative aims to build institutional capacity, support the implementation of strategic management tools, and enhance aid monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.

In Abidjan, the mission team met with Mr. Philippe Lasmel and Mr. Ali Bamba from DGCOD to discuss project progress and the implementation of the operational plan developed with support from Nexus Cooperation. Meetings were also held with technical departments and a local expert contributing to the next steps of the partnership.

The team also met with Ms. Evelyne Adom of the Canadian organization SUCO (Solidarité Union Coopération), who is contributing to the TAP initiative by preparing an information guide on the platform of Canadian NGOs in Côte d’Ivoire. Her reflections were captured in a video interview.  Additionally, the team spoke with representatives from Habitat for Humanity Côte d’Ivoire to exchange on their respective roles in the country. The mission also contributed to a video documentary produced by the Embassy of Canada, highlighting the collaboration between DGCOD, TAP-EDM, and the Embassy itself — watch here.

A highlight of the mission was the event hosted by the Embassy of Canada, attended by H.E. Anderson Blanc, Mr. Lasmel of DGCOD, their teams, and representatives of Canadian NGOs. The event underscored the results of the bilateral partnership with Côte d’Ivoire and reaffirmed Canada’s engagement in supporting more strategic aid management through TAP technical assistance. It was also an opportunity to showcase Alinea’s broader presence in international development.

Stakeholders and partners met:

• Ministère du Plan et du Développement (Ministry of Planning and Development)
• Direction générale de la coopération au développement (DGCOD) – General Directorate for Development Cooperation
• SUCO (Solidarité Union Coopération)
• WUSC (Entraide universitaire mondiale du Canada)
• EDO – African Development Bank
• Habitat for Humanity Côte d’Ivoire
• Embassy of Canada to Côte d’Ivoire

In Ghana, the TAP initiative is working with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection to support the implementation of the Affirmative Action law. Canadian specialists Sally Yacoub and Leigh-Anne Ingram are supporting the Ministry’s Gender Department in building its capacity to collect and use gender-related data to support the law’s implementation and monitor progress toward gender equality.

On July 30, 2024, the Ghanaian Parliament passed the Affirmative Action (Gender Equity) Act, 2024, a landmark law aimed at advancing gender equality and equity between women and men. The law introduces specific measures to increase women’s participation in decision-making roles across various sectors, including politics, the private sector, and public institutions.

In Accra, the team witnessed firsthand the strong interest and enthusiasm within the Ministry for this new legislation. As part of the TAP initiative, the team took part in a two-day training session with the Canadian specialists and Ministry staff on a gender-responsive monitoring and evaluation approach related to the law’s implementation. The training, designed by Sally Yacoub and delivered in person by Leigh-Anne Ingram, deepened participants’ understanding of how to analyze and use gender-disaggregated data to track the implementation of gender equity legislation.

The mission’s objective in Ghana was also to follow up on the rollout of the technical assistance. It offered the team a first-hand perspective on collaborative exchanges, brainstorming sessions with Ministry directors and civil society partners, and discussions on post-training support needs and the next steps for the initiative.

These rich and dynamic exchanges provided strong material for communications—content that will help document the initiative’s success stories through impactful visuals and compelling testimonials.

Stakeholders and partners met:

• Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection
• APEX Law Consult, Ghana
• Affirmative Action Law Coalition
• High Commission of Canada to Ghana

In Benin, the TAP initiative is working with the Observatoire de la Famille, de la Femme et de l’Enfant (OFFE) – the Observatory for the Family, Women and Children – to strengthen the production and use of data related to social protection and gender equality. With the support of Canadian specialist Vanina Ngalley, the initiative focuses on improving digital tools for data collection and processing, particularly those related to gender-based violence.

In Cotonou, the mission allowed for in-depth discussions with OFFE leadership on project progress, including improved data collection on vulnerable populations across the country. The team also participated in meetings with the Direction des systèmes d’information (DSI) – Information Systems Directorate – of the Ministère des Affaires sociales et de la Microfinance (MASM), which is working toward a more coherent approach to the digital transformation of data collection systems.

To better understand the realities faced by Ministry staff, the team visited a Guichet unique de protection sociale (GUPS) – One-Stop Social Protection Service Center – and spoke with one of the coordinators. Her testimonial highlighted the importance of digitalizing GUPS data to better track individual cases and respond to the needs of clients such as women survivors of violence, the homeless, the elderly, and people living with disabilities.

The final day in Cotonou included an incredible lineup of visits with OFFE’s national partners in the gender and social sectors, including UNFPA, UNICEF, the Institut national de la femme (INF) – National Institute for Women – and a center providing care and support for survivors of gender-based violence.

Stakeholders and partners met:

• Observatoire de la Famille, de la Femme et de l’Enfant (OFFE) – Observatory for the Family, Women and Children
• Ministère des Affaires sociales et de la Microfinance (MASM) – Ministry of Social Affairs and Microfinance
• Direction des systèmes d’information (DSI) – Information Systems Directorate
• Guichet unique de protection sociale (GUPS) – One-Stop Social Protection Service Center
• Institut national de la femme (INF) – National Institute for Women
• UNFPA – United Nations Population Fund
• UNICEF – United Nations Children’s Fund
• Gender-Based Violence Care and Support Center
• Office of the Embassy of Canada to Benin

This mission to West Africa was rich in learning, human connections, and renewed perspectives. Through this mission, supported by Global Affairs Canada, the TAP team witnessed firsthand the meaningful and promising impact of the TAP initiative. Thanks to the outstanding commitment of local partners and the adaptable, human-centered expertise of Canadian specialists, this collaboration has laid the groundwork for lasting change.

Beyond the outcomes, it is the quality of the exchanges—marked by authenticity and mutual respect—that will leave a lasting impression. Sincere thanks to everyone we met for their warm welcome and invaluable collaboration.