SOURCE: AWOKO NEWSPAPERS (AUGUST 9TH 2018)
LINK: https://awoko.org/2018/08/11/sierra-leone-news-action-aid-hosts-wacsof-regional-conference-today/
A leading governance and livelihood advocacy International Non-Governmental Organization operating in Sierra Leone, Action Aid, will today host a regional conference for colleague Civil Society in West African on African Governance Architecture.The public awareness forum will be hosted at the Bintumani Hotel in Freetown. The public awareness forum will look into strides made by African countries that had domesticated and starts the implementation of the African Union Charter on Democracy, Election and Governance.
The African Union Commission towards the successful implementation and fostering of democratic principles across the continent established the African Governance Architecture (AGA) as an integral structure for CSOs in African raise awareness and advocate leaders to domesticate and implement the provisions. AGA as a structure toward the successful implementation of the African Charter on Democracy Election and Governance (ACDEG), has contributed greatly in the area of stabilizing the peace across the continent.
Jacklyn Jengo, one of the Human Rights Civil Society members in Sierra Leone said it is no secrets that as CSO’s they have been playing significant role in demanding for the implementation of treaties been signed by government. She said there is a need for civil society organizations to advocate for the domestication and implementations of all charters signed by leaders. According to the African Charter on Democracy Election and Governance (ACDEG), countries that are implementing provisions in the said charter are entitle to improved democracy, credible, fair and peaceful elections, increased accountability and transparency, reduction in corruption, improved social justice, rule of law and equity, gender balance among other benefits.
It could be recalled that in December 2017, 45 out of 54 African member states were recorded to had signed up the ACDEG of which 29 have ratified it, despite the fact that Sierra Leone had signed and ratified the charter it is yet to implement it. Being a state party to the instrument, countries are bound to adhere to its core principles by domesticating then in their country.
The General Secretary for the West African Civil Society Forum, Komlan Messie, said for countries to domesticate the charter means their national laws should be formulated inline with the provisions if not available. He said certain action should be taken by government to promote those provisions in the country pointing that, this provisions are the reason why states continue to make commendable progress in strengthening democratic institutions, including establishment of independent election management bodies, enhancing the capacities of the judicial sector and institutions of accountability and transparency mechanisms, he noted.
The session is expected to converge CSO’s from across the continent hence their contributions toward the successful implementation of the AGA and the ACDEG will impact significantly especially in Sierra Leone and other countries in the continent. MK/8/8/18
By Mohamed Kabba.
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