In Abuja, the ECOWAS Court of Justice held its New Year Get-Together and Award Ceremony, a two-fold event that enabled team bonding in a relaxed atmosphere and the celebration of diligent staff members.
President of the Court, Justice Edward Amoako Asante, said the award system recognises and rewards the exemplary contributions of staff during the previous year and will inspire other staff to higher productivity while also stimulating a positive work environment.
Awards were presented to outstanding staff in five categories. There were prizes for Best Staff in different departments and Judges Special Award for Overall Best Staff.
On the criteria for selection in the best staff categories, the Director of Administration and Finance, Dr. William Towah, disclosed that they include work performance, professionalism and work ethics, interpersonal communication skills, self-development, and proactiveness.
Mr. Abiodun Omidiran and Mr Uche Daniel Nwoko won Best Staff Awards for the Administration and Finance and Registry Departments, respectively, while Overall Best Staff went to Mr Aminu Abdullahi from the Research and Documentation Department.
An award for excellence in leadership and teamwork was presented to Mr. Apraku Nketiah, Head of Legal Services, winner in the managerial positions’ category, which was open to directors and heads of divisions.
In addition, the Court inaugurated the “Olivier Ahogny Award” for the most popular staff in honour of a late diligent staff known for his conviviality among staff and the judges. The winner in this category was Mr Yusuf Usman in the Administration and Finance Department.
Earlier, in a New Year message, Justice Asante thanked members of staff for their contribution to the success attained in 2023, which was marked by a remarkable increase in the number of judgments delivered from 41 recorded in 2021 and 2022 consecutively, to 59 in 2023.
Present at the event were Justices Gbèri-Be Ouattara (Vice President), Dupe Atoki, Sengu M. Mohammed and Ricardo Claúdio Monteiro Gonçalves.
Also present were the Chief Registrar, directors, heads of divisions and units, and members of staff.
Some guests from the ECOWAS community also attended the event.
