The West African Health Organisation (WAHO) held a ceremony on Wednesday, 9 September 2026, at the ECOWAS Resident Representation in Côte d’Ivoire, marking the assumption of duty in Abidjan by the new Director General, Professor Palokinam T. Pitche, and a farewell to the outgoing Director General, Dr Melchior Athanase J. C. Aissi, at the end of his four-year tenure at the helm of the Organisation.

The ceremony brought together staff of WAHO, the ECOWAS Resident Representation in Côte d’Ivoire and the Inter-Governmental Action Group against Money Laundering in West Africa (GIABA), as well as some members of Dr Aissi’s family and the Lead Representative of WAHO’s Technical and Financial Partners.

The event featured the screening of a documentary highlighting the key achievements of the outgoing Director General’s tenure, as well as addresses by the two Directors General and the Lead Representative of WAHO’s Technical and Financial Partners.

In his address, Dr Melchior Athanase J. C. Aissi reflected on his four years at the helm of WAHO, highlighting progress made in the harmonisation of regional health policies, community health, quality of care, malaria elimination, strengthening of technical platforms and support provided to Member States.

He commended the contributions of staff and Technical and Financial Partners and called on them to extend their full support to his successor.

Assuming his duties in Abidjan, Professor Palokinam T. Pitche commended the work accomplished by his predecessor and reaffirmed his commitment to consolidating the gains made.

He indicated that his leadership would be aligned with ECOWAS priorities, with particular emphasis on the harmonisation of health policies and processes, strengthening the provision of basic health services, improving access to quality medicines and vaccines, preparedness and response to health emergencies, and supporting Member States in their efforts towards universal health coverage.

The ceremony was also marked by the signing of the official record of assumption of duty in Abidjan, formalising Professor Palokinam T. Pitche’s assumption of office at the Organisation. As part of the farewell and recognition ceremony, certificates of recognition and farewell gifts were presented to Dr Melchior Athanase J. C. Aissi and his wife. His Executive Assistant, Dr Félix Agbla, also received tokens of recognition for his support.

The ceremony thus marked, in a spirit of institutional continuity, the conclusion of Dr Melchior Athanase J. C. AÏSSI’s tenure and Professor Palokinam T. Pitche’s assumption of duty in Abidjan, opening a new chapter in WAHO’s mission to promote the health and well-being of the people of the ECOWAS region.