By Innocent Anaba

The Community Court of Justice of the Economic Community of West African States, ECOWAS, has held a five-day workshop on the operationalisation of its Records Management and Archives Policy as part of efforts to strengthen transparency, accountability and institutional efficiency.

The workshop, which began on June 1, 2026, brought together directors, heads of divisions and units, office managers and other staff of the Court to deepen their understanding of the policy adopted during the Court’s Judicial Retreat in November 2025 and equip them with practical skills for its implementation.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Chief Registrar of the Court, Dr. Yaouza Ouro-Sama, said the workshop was organised in line with Articles 14(1) and 15 of the Court’s Rules of Procedure (2002), which assign responsibility for the custody of documents and management of records to the Chief Registrar.

According to him, the training aimed at providing staff with the knowledge, tools and skills required to effectively manage records throughout their lifecycle, including their creation, classification, storage, retrieval, preservation and disposal.

“Records constitute the institutional memory of the Court and are essential to maintaining credibility, transparency and accountability in the administration of justice,” he said.
Ouro-Sama stressed that effective records management remains critical to the Court’s mandate of upholding the rule of law, protecting human rights and promoting regional integration across the West African sub-region.

He urged all departments and units of the Court to embrace a culture of professionalism, compliance and institutional responsibility, describing the workshop as the beginning of a new phase in preserving the Court’s legacy.

He added that the initiative would help ensure that future generations have access to complete and accurate records of the Court’s operations.

In her presentation on the objectives and expected outcomes of the workshop, Acting Deputy Chief Registrar, Mrs. Marie Saine, described the programme as a significant step towards strengthening the Court’s institutional capacity through the effective implementation of the Records Management and Archives Policy.

Saine highlighted the importance of records management in promoting transparency, accountability, institutional memory and the preservation of the Court’s documentary heritage.

She noted that the workshop was designed to enhance staff understanding of the policy and translate its provisions into practical procedures while equipping personnel with skills to manage both physical and electronic records in line with international standards and best practices.

According to her, the workshop is expected to foster a common understanding of the policy, clarify the responsibilities of staff and strengthen coordination and collaboration across departments.

She added that it would also support the development of an actionable roadmap for the policy’s implementation, improve access to reliable information, strengthen judicial and administrative processes, reduce operational risks and safeguard the institutional memory of the Court.

Also speaking, the Court’s Archivist, Mrs. Martine Kpoke-Ayissou, outlined the implementation framework of the policy, highlighting the strategic role of records and archives in supporting judicial functions and preserving the Court’s heritage.

She said the workshop provided practical guidance on records management tools, retention schedules, transfer procedures, classification systems and departmental implementation strategies.

According to her, the initiative was expected to address longstanding challenges, including poor classification practices, duplication of records, inadequate storage management and difficulties in information retrieval.

Kpoke-Ayissou emphasised that all records created or received in the course of official duties are the property of the Court and must be managed in accordance with established procedures to ensure accountability, traceability and continuity.

She maintained that effective records management goes beyond administrative processes and remains a critical component of institutional governance, necessary for preserving the Court’s judicial heritage and institutional memory for future generations.

The workshop ran from June 1 to June 5, 2026, and wss concluded with the adoption of implementation strategies aimed at institutionalising a modern, efficient and sustainable records and archives management system within the Court.