The ECOWAS Community Metrology Committee (ECOMET) held the first meeting of its Technical Committees on Awareness, Legal Metrology and Thermometry on 23 and 24 January in Dakar, Senegal.
The meeting resulted in the appointment of the Chairmen and Vice-Chairmen of the various committees for a period of two years. It was also an opportunity for the various working groups to present the programs of activities to be supported by the joint ECOWAS-German Metrology Agency (PTB) project. These include (i) raising awareness of metrology in all regions; (ii) integration of training modules on the subject in school curricula; and finally (III) better collaboration with the media in order to disseminate information on metrology widely and effectively.
One of the challenges common to all countries in the region is to raise the awareness of policymakers and the general public on the importance of metrology and its impact on the socio-economy. The meeting concluded with a recommendation that a plan of action be considered by the members. The action plan was validated at the following ECOMET meeting in March 2020, in Niger. On the occasion, the Minister of Mines of Niger recalled that if metrology is the science of measurement for specialists; for the public authorities, it
is a pillar in the national edifice of quality. Metrology is an important tool for ensuring transparency and improving the business environment. It is, therefore, the foundation that supports competitiveness as part of West Africa’s policy for the development of industrial sectors.