The West African Health Organisation (WAHO), the health institution of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has received the keys to its temporary headquarters in Grand-Bassam, Côte d’Ivoire, marking a significant milestone in its relocation to the country.
The handover ceremony, held at the Village of Information Technology and Biotechnology (VITIB), followed the decision by ECOWAS Heads of State and Government on December 14, 2025, in Abuja to establish the regional health institution in Côte d’Ivoire.
The relocation is expected to strengthen regional health cooperation, improve coordination in epidemic prevention and response, expand access to quality healthcare and medicines, and enhance collective preparedness for public health emergencies across West Africa.
The ceremony attracted senior Ivorian government officials, ECOWAS representatives, WAHO leadership, VITIB officials and development partners.
Speaking at the event, Minister Delegate Adama Dosso said the handover reflected the Ivorian government’s commitment to providing the necessary infrastructure and institutional support for WAHO’s establishment.
He noted that the decision to host the organisation demonstrated the confidence reposed in Côte d’Ivoire by ECOWAS leaders and underscored the country’s commitment to regional integration.
Dosso commended the national institutions that facilitated the preparation of the facilities within a short period, particularly the National State Property Management Company (SONAPIE) and VITIB.
Similarly, Minister Delegate for Technical Education and Mayor of Grand-Bassam, Jean Louis Moulot, described WAHO’s arrival as a major development for the city, which is increasingly positioning itself as a centre for technology, scientific research and healthcare.
Moulot highlighted investments in health infrastructure, the development of VITIB and the construction of the National Oncology and Radiotherapy Centre, expressing optimism that WAHO’s presence would create new opportunities for innovation and institutional collaboration.
He said the relocation also reflected the determination of West African countries to pool expertise and develop common solutions to shared health challenges.
The Director-General of WAHO, Professor Palokinam T. Pitche, expressed appreciation to the government and people of Côte d’Ivoire for their hospitality and efforts to facilitate the organisation’s relocation.
He also acknowledged Burkina Faso and the people of Bobo-Dioulasso for hosting and supporting WAHO for several decades, while commending the ECOWAS Commission and other stakeholders for their contributions to the transition.
Describing the handover as a significant institutional milestone, Pitche said it marked a decisive step towards WAHO’s effective establishment in Côte d’Ivoire and opened a new chapter in the organisation’s history.
He noted that WAHO’s location within VITIB offered a strategic opportunity to integrate public health expertise with technological innovation, digital solutions and biotechnology.
“Our presence at VITIB should be an invitation to build bridges between health, innovation, digital technologies and biotechnology, for the benefit of West African populations,” he said.
Pitche identified access to quality healthcare, epidemic prevention and response, preparedness for public health emergencies, access to quality medicines and vaccines, and stronger regional health initiatives as key areas for collaboration with Ivorian health authorities.
He expressed hope that the new headquarters would become a hub for consultation, coordination and innovation, enabling ECOWAS member states to develop more effective collective responses to emerging and persistent health challenges.
In his remarks, VITIB Director-General Mebeti Dosso welcomed WAHO to the technology park, describing its presence as an opportunity to strengthen the facility’s scientific, technological and regional relevance.
He identified digital health, professional training and innovation as priority areas for potential collaboration and assured the organisation of VITIB’s readiness to support its operations and develop joint initiatives.
WAHO’s establishment in Grand-Bassam is expected to deepen its engagement with Côte d’Ivoire while creating a platform for connecting national expertise, technological innovation and regional health priorities.
The organisation will continue to pursue its mandate of harmonising health policies and strategies, strengthening regional cooperation and promoting solidarity among ECOWAS member states to improve the health and well-being of West African populations.
