40. The second working group (Chairman - Mr. Jean Marie Foundoun, Rapporteur - Mr Amadou M. Bèye) made an in-depth review of the 20 activities of the GPA and identified priorities for collaboration within the countries as well as at the regional level. The discussions focused on:
- the identification of major constraints to develop activities within the sub-region;
- case studies of successful activities;
- opportunities for collaboration;
- activities to develop in the meantime.
41. Based on these discussions, the meeting agreed on a Programme of Action for the sub-region of West and Central Africa (Table 1). The Programme is based on the valorisation of diverse local competencies (national and/or regional) and represents an new approach in the management of PGRFA. Its implementation will depend more on the Commitment of countries than from
funds mobilized from outside. Indeed, it will necessitate that countries create the conditions of its success by:
- establishing national co-ordinating committees;
- recognising them through a minister's order, or other formal status;
- ensure commitment of focal points.
42. The discussions revealed the followings general points:
- The important role of women in the management of PGRFA, in
particular, their contribution to maintain the genetic diversity and traditional knowledge has been recognised;
- the need to involve more NGOs and Farmer Organisations in the management of PGRFA at local level, to help particularly in the improvement, production and distribution of farmer-saved seed.
- the important role of national committees in setting-up programmes and strategies adapted to local conditions;
- the predominant place for training in the valorisation of traditional PGRFA with links between conservation and utilization of PGRFA.
- the need to raise public awareness on the importance of PGRFA to farmers and their cultural and scientific values.
- the importance of strengthening collaboration at the regional level in order to integrate major activities which are conducted in similar ecologies thereby avoiding redundancy of activities, dispersion of funds and dilution of efforts.
- the importance of national legislation in regulating access to and exchange of PGRFA.
- the need to establish a newsletter to provide regular information about activities conducted in the sub-region and about the status of PGRFA aiming to sensitise people, at national and regional levels, to the consequences of an inadequate PGRFA management.
43. The importance of full involvement of FAO and IPGRI as well as the Commitment of the different countries of Western and Central Africa for the success of the programme was emphasised.
