The Economic, Social and Cultural Council of the African Union (AU ECOSOCC) is currently holding a Popularization and Awareness Raising Workshop on its National Chapters in Accra Ghana. The workshop which is in its second day today has in attendance a good number of civil society organizations, diplomats and the media, among others.
The objective of the workshop is to introduce the newly adopted National Chapters Framework to Civil Society Organizations in the country; popularize and enhance capacities on the implementation of the ACDEG at the national level; enhance engagements between CSOs and the African Governance Architecture (AGA) platform; provide a platform for Members of the Pan African Parliament (PAP) to engage with CSOs; and to populate ECOSOCC databases of CSOs working in the areas of governance, democracy, gender peace, security and human rights, among others.
Participants are expected to come out with a roadmap on the roll-out of the established National Chapters; create awareness among CSOs on the implementation of the African Charter on Democracy, Elections and Governance (ACDEG); enhance the engagement between AGA and CSOs, while increasing the number of CSOs on ECOSOCC’s database.
In his remarks during the opening for the workshop, Head of Secretariat of ECOSOCC, William Carew, highlighted the need for the establishment of national chapters of CSOs in Africa to reflect the nature of the AU as a people centered organization. He said the participation of CSOs in the AU’s decision making process will ensure that the voices of the people are heard during poly formulations for Africa.
ECOSOCC was established in 2004 as the Civil Society Organ of the African Union, with the vision to provide a platform for Civil Society to actively engage in the work of the African Union, and contribute to Africa’s integration and development. In 2015, the Executive Council of the AU resolved to consider the establishment of the National ECOSOCC Chapters.
Mr. Carew noted that, the establishment of ECOSOCC demonstrates the African Union’s appreciation of the important role that African Civil Society plays in shaping the continents future by providing technical expertise and being a platform where citizens can use to articulate their views, needs and expectations.
“It is a step taken to form a strong partnership between Civil Society Organizations and the African Union in working towards the development and integration of the continent, and we are excited to bring CSOs in Ghana on board through this particular workshop,
“We hope that the operationalization of this national chapter will further strengthen the partnership between the Africa Union and Civil Society Organizations in Ghana and does provide a platform for meaningful engagements and collaborations in the pursuit of a better Africa,” he further stated.
Head of Secretariat of the African Governance Architecture (AGA), Ambassador Sallah Hammad, said the participation of CSOs in building the Africa we want is key in the process towards the achievements of Africa Union’s Agenda 2063.
Executive Director of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) and Co-chair of the Ghana Civil Society Forum, Madam Beauty Nartey, indicated in her contributions that Ghana’s CSOs have a lot to share with the rest of Africa, and therefore the collaboration with ECOSOCC will expand their reach.
Interim representatives of the Ghana Chapter of ECOSOCC, Tsonam Akpeloo, also underscored the importance of the establishment of the national chapter which he said, would facilitate the sharing of advisory opinions by Civil Society Organizations with the African Union.
In a speech read on her behalf, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Shirley Ayorkor Botchwey said the formalization and operationalization of the ECOSOCC National Chapters is a significant step in amplifying the voices of CSOs across Africa.
“The newly adopted National Chapters Framework provides a structured mechanism through which CSOs can engage with the African Union’s work and contribute to the growth and development of our continent.
“The importance of this workshop also lies in the opportunity it provides for CSOs to engage directly with the African Governance Architecture (AGA) Secretariat, and subsequently with other vital organs of the African Union. This synergistic approach ensures that efforts do not remain fragmented, but rather, they interweave to create a tapestry of shared goals and collective achievements”.
Source: Jeorge Wilson Kingson || ghananewsonline.com.gh