Calls For Efforts To Sustain Democracy
PHOTO: Participants of D4GA West Africa convening
Participants of the West African edition of Data for Governance Alliance (D4GA) stakeholder convening on democracy, governance, and human rights have strongly condemned the recent spate of military coups in Africa, emphasising the need for collaborative efforts to sustain democracy on the continent.
The five-day convening was dedicated to bolstering implementation of the African Union (AU) Agenda 2063 and the African Governance Architecture’s (AGA) agenda on democracy, governance, and human rights by equipping African civil society organisations (CSOs) with data-driven tools and knowledge to engage effectively with AGA and national governments.
One of the key aims of the convening is to foster a better understanding of Africans’ views of unconstitutional changes of government and proactively address the threats of dedemocratization in certain countries, with attendant risks to peace, stability, and socioeconomic development.
In his keynote address, Kojo Asante, director of programs and policy engagement at the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), stressed the need to invest in education and promote civic participation to sustain democracy in Africa.
“Unconstitutional changes of government undermine the very principles of democracy, governance, and human rights that are cherished by many Africans. It disrupts the rule of law, erodes trust in institutions, and hinders socioeconomic development,” Asante said. “By investing in education, promoting civic participation, and prioritising regional cooperation, we can mitigate these challenges and ensure a sustainable future for democracy in Africa.”
Representing the AU’s Economic, Social and Culture Council (ECOSOCC), Bright Sefah pointed out connections between unconstitutional changes of government, insecurity, and citizen engagement.
“One of the causes of insecurity, instability, and violent conflicts in Africa stems from unconstitutional changes of government,” he said. “There is the need for the establishment of necessary conditions to foster citizen participation.”
Paul Nana Kwabena Aborampah-Mensah, D4GA project coordinator for West Africa, reiterated the significance of collaboration among civil society and regional and international bodies in promoting good governance and fostering political accountability.
“Ineffective management of the continent’s economies by our various leaders, with reports of corruption, nepotism, and state capture by a few elites, have resulted in poor service delivery (and) a pool of unemployed youth, with a consequence of drug addiction, increasing youth gun culture, and the zeal to migrate through often dangerous and difficult routes,” he said. “This plethora of challenges require that African citizens join hands with their regional and sub regional bodies to fight for an improved and better continent.”
About 35 representatives of AU member organs and West African CSOs participated in the convening in Accra, receiving hands-on training on evidence-based advocacy planning and the use of empirical data in pursuing their advocacy goals.
In his closing remarks, Afrobarometer chief executive officer, Joseph Asunka, charged the participants to translate the knowledge gained into actions that would benefit the continent.
“Good quality data is the basis for effective advocacy campaigns, and I hope that the skills you have acquired this week will go a long way to enhance your work,” he said. “I’d also entreat you to take advantage of the D4GA Advocacy Manual which presents best practices, case studies, and practical resource on how to access and use effective databased insights to enhance your work.”
The final convening of the Afrobarometer-led and EU-funded project will take place in November in Nairobi, Kenya.
About Data for Governance Alliance
The Data for Governance Alliance is a four-year project that promotes data-based advocacy and engagement between pan-African civil society organisations (CSOs) and African Union organs. The project is led by Afrobarometer with partners including the Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), the Institute for Development Studies at the University of Nairobi, the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, and Laws.Africa. The project is funded by the European Union.
Media inquiries:
Maame Akua Amoah Twum
Afrobarometer communications coordinator for anglophone West and North Africa
Email: maameakua@afrobarometer.org
Telephone: +233 208 326343