Raise unheard voices in decision-making - Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas
Renowned Ghanaian Diplomat, Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas, has said that as part of efforts to ensure mass participation in governance and promote accountability, it is important to guarantee every citizen a voice in the decision-making process.
To achieve this, he said, “We must establish platforms for open dialogue where ideas, concerns and aspirations can be safely expressed. Civic organisations, community gatherings and participatory governance mechanisms play a vital role in achieving this goal.”
He therefore called on the government to create avenues for citizens to collaborate with policymakers, fostering a sense of shared responsibility in the nation-building process.
Dr. Mohammed Ibn Chambas speaking during the lecture
Read more: https://gna.org.gh/2023/11/ghana-yet-to-fully-harness-potential-of-democracy-dr-ibn-chambas/
Dr. Chambas, who is the AU High Representative for Silencing the Guns, was delivering a lecture on the topic: “Empowering citizens, enriching nation building: Fostering active citizenship for sustainable development in Ghana", as part of STAR-Ghana Foundation’s third annual active citizenship lecture in Accra on Friday November 10, 2023.
The lecture, which was also to commemorate the fifth anniversary of the Foundation, was attended by civil society organisations (CSOs), the academia, development workers and the general public.
He suggested the development of new systems that leverage technology and other means to allow broad participation of the people in governance at all levels, that is local, regional, and national levels.
Additionally, he explained, regional and continental bodies must encourage participation by the people, including processes of policy formulation and accountability to lead us to an ECOWAS and Africa of the people, not of governments.
He stressed the need for active citizenship in rigorously monitoring the operations of Electoral Management Bodies (EMBs), security agencies and non-state armed groups.
From left: Charles Abugre - Vice Chair, Governing Council of STAR-Ghana Foundation, Dr. Sulemana Abdulai -Board Chairman of the Northern Development Authority and Hajara Mohammed-Governing Council Member, STAR-Ghana Foundation
Read more: https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/general-news/ghana-news-harness-nations-democratic-dividends-for-accelerated-devt-dr-chambas.html
Ensuring sustainable development
Dr. Chambas also called on the citizens to ensure that dividends of the nation’s democracy were harnessed for the sustainable development of the country.
He said to achieve this, leadership must deal with the complexities of good governance and fight for a more just international economic system.
“The socio-economic implication of the lapses in governance in the country and the unfair international trade are reflected in the declining quality of life, the pervasive presence of corruption, the prevalence of situations threatening the rule of law, a divisive political context, state capture, and deficit in visionary leadership to inspire hope” he said.
He noted that there are still many questions that need to be answered; why does 70 per cent of our population still grapple with poverty?; Who owns our natural resources?; Why is our national debt burden soaring?; Why does our food security situation hang in a balance due to external factors such as the Russia-Ukraine war?; What has led to the precarious state of our health care and education systems?; Where is the accessibility to decent housing and other social amenities?; Where are the dividends of democracy?”.
“These challenges encompass a blend of historical issues dating back to pre-colonial times and contemporary challenges arising from evolving practices.
“However, one fundamental reality is evident: We are yet to fully harness the potential of democracy as a catalyst for sustainable development,” he said.
From left: Samson Lardi Anyenini, Shamima Muslim & Oliver Barker Vormawor during a panel discussion
Taking the audience through the historical antecedents that led to the nation's independence, Dr Chambas said active citizenship was equally undeniably indispensable for the sustainable development of the country.
That, he said, could be achieved through mass participation in governance, promoting accountability, empowering youth, and women, as well as creating a positive mindset and attitude.
Read more: https://www.graphic.com.gh/news/politics/ghananewsensure-outcome-of-2024-election-reflects-wishes-of-people-dr-chambas-urges-ec.html
Achievements
The Chairperson of the STAR-Ghana Foundation Governing Council, Dr Esther Ofei-Aboagye said that Ghana can achieve a democratic, inclusive, and sustainable society if its citizens, irrespective of their different characteristics actively take responsibility for the direction in which they want their country to go, for improved social and economic outcomes driven by fit for purpose public administration in governance architecture.
She mentioned that in order to achieve its mission of increasing the effectiveness of citizen influence for change that advances democracy, accountability, and social inclusion, the Foundation developed and launched its Active Citizenship strategy in 2022.
This strategy, according to her, captures a broad view of the state of active citizenship in Ghana today, and the plethora of civic activities in the space. It identifies, assesses, and categorizes the various manifestations of active citizenship and offers an opportunity for a holistic landscape to foster inclusion and collaboration between the various actors.
