ECOSOCC Engages CSOs in Ghana on Popularization and Awareness Raising Framework
As part of its continental effort to bring Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) under one umbrella to develop popularizing awareness-raising framework, the African Union Economic Cultural and Social Council (AU-ECOSOCC) held a two-day consultative workshop with local CSOs in Ghana.
The two-day workshop sought to enhance the CSOs capacity in raising awareness of popularization leading to the formation of the ECOSOCC Ghana’s chapter which would among other things play a pivotal role in ensuring that the voices of the citizens and Civil Society in Ghana are adhered to for AU’s policies formulation.
.The framework which sought to guide the work of the National Chapters in providing CSO support to the AU’s national-level work was validated at the 4th Permanent General Assembly of ECOSOCC in December 2022, in Nairobi, Kenya, and subsequently adopted by the AU in February 2023.
Speaking at the opening ceremony in Accra on Wednesday, August 9, 2023, the Head of Secretariat of ECOSOCC, William Carew, emphasized the need for the establishment of national chapters across the continent involving Civil Society Organizations to reflect the nature of the African Union as a human-centered organization.
He said the CSO’s involvement in the AU decision-making process would go a long way to amplify the voices of the citizens on continental issues which would further help to shape the focus of AU policies and programmes.

According to him, ECOSOCC was established in 2004 with the vision of providing a platform for CSOs to actively participate in the work of the African Union, as they contribute substantially to the continent’s integration and development..
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 future of the continent by providing technical expertise and being a platform citizens can use to articulate their views, needs, and expectations.
He said,“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,” Mr. Carew added.
Ambassador Sallah Hammad, Head of the Secretariat of the African Governance Architecture (AGA), said the CSOs and the citizen’s participation in the continent’s activities would help build the Africa we want and would ultimately play a key role in the process toward the achievement of Agenda 2063.
On her part, the Executive Director of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) and Co-chair of the Ghana Civil Society Forum, Madam Beauty Nartey,
Stated that Ghana’s CSOs have a lot to share with the rest of Africa, and therefore the collaboration with ECOSOCC will expand their reach.
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Similarly, the Interim Representative of the Ghana Chapter of ECOSOCC, Tsonam Akpeloo highlighted the importance of the establishment of the national chapter which he believed would invariably facilitate the cohesion and sharing of advisory opinions by CSOs and the AU.
In a speech read on her behalf, Ghana’s Minister for Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration, Ms Sherly Ayorkor Botchwey said the formalization and operationalization of the ECOSOCC National Chapters is a significant step in amplifying the voices of CSOs across Africa.

According to her, “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.
She added that the workshop is an opportunity for CSOs in Ghana to familiarize themselves with this framework, discuss its potential, and chart a roadmap that aligns national priorities with the broader aspirations of the African Union.
“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, ” Ghana’s Foreign Minister stated.
Source: expressnewsghana.com
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