Policy think tanks from African centres for democratic development have met to look at alternative ways of improving democratic tools to stimulate rapid economic growth in the region, fight poverty and joblessness.
The deliberations come on the back of the tank’s observation that there are myriad of challenges in the region that undermines speedy social and economic transformation to boost the living conditions of the people.
Professor E. Gyimah-Boadi, the Executive Director of Afro –Barometer said, “We, therefore, we found it necessary to come together and discuss such issues and how impactful we can be in tackling these problems.”
“The meeting is to discuss a common agenda to make an impact on the development of Africa by helping to minimise the hindrances that affect democracy and development across the continent.”
A delegation from the US, led by Assistant Secretary of State for Africa Affairs, Mrs Linda Thomas Greenfield, took part in the discussions directed at removing impediments to African democratic growth.
Mrs Greenfield said the US Government backed the Centre for Democratic Development’s (CDD) struggles to encourage democratic practice in Africa because they believed think tanks had the capacity to examine important matters that policymakers might not have time to consider.
She said transparency in governance, creation of jobs, insecurity and promotion of education were some of the pressing issues that called for swift attention.
Mrs Idayat Hassan, the Director of the CDD – Abuja, noted that democratic practice has become a norm in Africa as most countries undergo free, fair and peaceful elections.
However, she said, corruption, inequality, and violent extremism still challenged the continent and called for planned action to tame the tide and make democracy more meaningful.
Citizens’ role in making democracy work ought to be expanded and they had to be educated to take full responsibility of their actions, she added.
Mr Peter Aling’o, the Head of the Institute for Security Studies, Nairobi Office, hailed democracy on the continent, saying in East African countries, election had now become a common activity.
However, he said the issues against quality in elections were key threats.
He expressed worry the region was plagued with violent conflicts, largely driven by ethnicity and manipulations of state institutions and the change of constitutions in a bid hook on to power.
Source: GNA
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