The African Union Economic Social and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC) has held its 3rd Annual Citizens’ Forum in Accra. Themed “Democracy and Institutional Resilience,” the forum formed part of commemorative activities, marking two decades of ECOSOCC’s engagement with the African populace.
A former Prime Minister of Mali, His Execellency Moussa Mara, who officially opened the forum emphasized the importance of effective governance frameworks.
“Africa can build resilient communities that thrive on diversity and mutual respect, strengthening social cohesion, trust, democratic governance, economic stability, and sustainable development,” he stated.
The Presiding Officer of ECOSOCC, Khalid Boudali in a statement highlighted the shared pursuit of liberty, justice, and equality, saying “Our gathering today symbolizes a profound commitment to fortifying democracy as representatives of civil society, NGOs, and members of the diaspora.”
Among others, the objectives of the forum included promoting democratic governance, enhancing institutional resilience, fostering trust between people and institutions, tackling illicit financial flows (IFFs), and leveraging digital governance and innovation.
Head of the ECOSOCC Secretariat, William Carew, emphasized the importance of empowering CSOs to improve governing institutions, saying, “Democracy is not just about structures and institutions, it is also about the spirit that informs those institutions.”
Ms. Souad Aden-Osman, who serves as the Executive Director for the Coalition for Dialogue on Africa, commented on the need for institutional resilience and financial resources.
“Without tools and financial support, we waste a lot of time dealing with inefficiencies that reduce our ability to produce quality outputs,” she said.
President of the European Economic and Social Committee, Mr. Oliver Röpke, underscored the importance of democracy for civil society engagement. “Democracy is the backbone of civil society engagement. Both Europe and Africa face similar challenges, making this dialogue essential,” he noted.
The Citizens’ Forum, which began in Lusaka in 2022, has evolved into a flagship annual event under the auspices of ECOSOCC. The inaugural event focused on Unconstitutional Change of Government (UCG) in Africa, creating a platform for civil society organizations, stakeholders, and citizens to engage in meaningful dialogue on pressing governance issues. Over the years, the forum has grown in both scale and impact, becoming a cornerstone of ECOSOCC’s engagement with the African populace
The 2024 Forum produced a comprehensive outcome document capturing the forum’s deliberations and providing a strategic roadmap for advancing democratic governance and institutional resilience across Africa.
The forum also hosted various side events and exhibitions, providing additional opportunities for engagement, networking, and showcasing the diverse contributions of stakeholders to ECOSOCC’s mission and vision.
By Jeorge Wilson Kingson || Ghananewsonline.com.gh