Nigeria’s Israel Orekha has emerged as secretary of the Climate Action Network West and Central Africa (CANWCA), following the election of a new board to lead the regional network for three years.

A statement made available to journalists on Saturday in Benin said the election was held during the network’s General Assembly on Friday.

The new board’s tenure will run from November 2026 to November 2029.

Mr Orekha secured eight votes out of 12 cast to defeat Ansumana Camara, who received four votes.

The General Assembly also elected Kenneth Amoateng of Ghana as co-chair for West Africa, with 12 votes out of 17.

Abrelegwi Ngoasong of Cameroon was elected co-chair for Central Africa, while Ndeye Rokhaya Dieye of Senegal emerged as treasurer.

Other elected board members are Samiratou Ouédraogo of Burkina Faso, Awa Cham of The Gambia, Sylvana Ayihonsi of Benin Republic and Lethicia Gnada of Côte d’Ivoire.

Mr Cham secured eight votes out of 15 to emerge as a board member, defeating Omar Camara, who received seven votes.

In the statement, CANWCA said the new board would focus on strengthening climate advocacy and implementation across West and Central Africa.

It described the election as an important step towards strengthening its internal structures, improving accountability and enhancing collaboration among civil society organisations working on climate issues.

The General Assembly also reviewed the network’s activities and financial performance and discussed its future direction.

The new leadership assumes office amid growing climate-related challenges across West and Central Africa, including flooding, drought, food insecurity, environmental degradation and displacement.

The network said the board would provide direction for stronger regional cooperation and collective advocacy on climate justice, climate finance, adaptation, loss and damage, and a just energy transition.

It added that the leadership would work to improve coordination among member organisations and strengthen their participation in climate policy discussions and decision-making.

CANWCA is part of the global Climate Action Network, a network of civil society organisations working to address the climate crisis, influence climate policies and advance climate justice.

Through advocacy, collaboration and coordinated action, the regional network seeks to strengthen civil society participation and promote climate solutions that address the needs of communities across West and Central Africa. 

(NAN)