2023-10-13 14:34:25
The student, Joseph Zongo (left), advocated the implementation of the GEMS method in the monitoring and evaluation of all development projects and programs in Burkina Faso.
Monitoring and evaluation of development projects and programs: The recommended GEMS method
Ouagadougou, (AIB)-Joseph Zongo, Advisor in land use planning and local development, student at the University from Franche-Comté (France), defended, by videoconference, his Master II Thesis, at the Joseph Ki Zerbo University of Ouagadougou, on Tuesday October 11, 2023. After two years of courses followed remotely, his final work cycle focused on the contribution of NICTs, in particular the GEMS method, to the process of remote monitoring of projects and programs.
The use of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), in this case the GEMS method (Geo-Enabling for Monitoring and Supervision or Geo-capacitation method of projects) is imperative to boost the monitoring system -evaluation of development projects and programs. This is, at least, one of the conclusions reached by Master II student, Joseph Zongo, from the University of Franche-Comté, in France, through his research work on his theme: “Contribution of NICT in the remote monitoring process of territorial projects: the case of PADEL in Burkina Faso”.
The study concerned the 13 regions of Burkina Faso with surveys carried out among the stakeholders involved in PADEL. Does the traditional monitoring-evaluation approach of the PADEL program take ICT into account in its approach? Or what innovation based on ICT, in particular the GEMS method, can contribute to improving the monitoring-evaluation approach of PADEL and other territorial projects in Burkina Faso and the countries of the South? This was the questioning on which Joseph Zongo, also Advisor in land use planning and local development, based his research work.
The Burkinabè State, according to the Master II student, has developed co-development projects and programs with the technical and financial support of its bilateral and multilateral partners to assist populations, especially in fragile or crisis areas.
Among these programs and programs is the Support Program for the Development of Local Economies (PADEL), launched in 2017 with the aim of contributing to the emergence of local, competitive and resilient economies in the thirteen (13) regions of Burkina Faso. .
However, he noted, the insufficient consideration of NICTs in the monitoring-evaluation process of projects and programs has a negative influence on the achievement of the results of the monitoring-evaluation system.
Hence, according to him, the need to take into account the GEMS method in order to improve transparency as well as governance in the management of territorial projects.
According to the applicant, the use of the GEMS method has the advantage of facilitating the involvement of all stakeholders and improves the results of Programs such as PADEL in its monitoring process.
assessment.
Opportunities likely to contribute to a revitalization of the program’s monitoring-evaluation mechanism via the GEMS method, according to Joseph Zongo, there is its ability to have data remotely and in a reasonable time, the low cost but also remains a method of cultivating transparency and good governance.
In terms of recommendations, he first proposed taking into account the GEMS method in the monitoring-evaluation of the PADEL program in its phase 2, then strengthening the capacities of the project team, the monitoring-evaluation actors and the representatives of project beneficiaries on the GEMS approach and finally its consideration in the formulation and monitoring-evaluation of projects and programs through its inclusion in project documents and monitoring-evaluation manuals.
The professional tutor of the student, Coordinator of PADEL, from March 2021 to May 2023, Félix Charles Dalla, praised the work done which makes it possible to understand the need to use ICT including the GEMS method for good monitoring and evaluation government projects and programs.
At the end of the discussions between members of the jury, the mention “fairly good” was awarded to him.
As a reminder, the GEMS method was initiated by the World Bank Group in 2019 and consists of the use of NICT tools for the collection of basic data on projects or programs, remote supervision, monitoring third-party services, beneficiary engagement, safeguards and portfolio mapping to facilitate monitoring-evaluation and achievement of the results of the said project or program.
Burkina Faso Information Agency
Soumaïla BONKOUNGOU
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