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‘There’s hope for Africa’s democracy’

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The World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa has heard that there’s hope for Africa’s democracy, provided there is robust engagement with civil society on issues of good governance and accountability.

This is the view of discussion panel member, Hassane Cisse, Global Practice Director, Governance and Inclusive Institutions at the World Bank. Cisse is also with the Global Agenda Council on Justice.

He believes that the demand for good governance is much stronger than before, adding that political leaders now know that “if you don’t listen to the demand of the masses, you will pay at the ballot box.”

The discussion, held under the theme, Safeguarding Africa’s Democracy, also featured Founder and Executive Chair at the Mandela Institute for Development Studies as well as Meta Council on Inclusive Growth’s Nkosana Moyo.

Moyo says at the moment, democracy seems to be the only system that seems to be right. He says while still seeking proper governance mechanisms, Africa will get there eventually. He believes that Africa should not, at this moment, emulate America’s democracy, saying “it’s all about money and not ideas of ordinary poor people”.

Commenting on issues directly related to Africa, Moyo says the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (Nepad) “is dead, it was a still-born.” Moyo believes that Nepad was a mistake. He adds: “It was structured that Africans set the agenda, but for someone else to pay for it, that was poorly-structured.”

The citizenry should be more informed, each has to be active in engagement

Further, Moyo says the incorporation of Nepad into African Union structures was another poor move. He states, “if you want something done, don’t delegate.”

The session also touched on issues about youth involvement and their tendency to engage in violent protests when not happy about service delivery. Moyo is of the idea that the problem is that youth protest not to bring change but rather to become part of the same corrupt systems they are protesting against. Cisse on the other hand believes that as much as the youth are “clamouring justice”, their actions are legitimate.

What others said:

Hanna Tetteh, Ghana’s Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration says that there are mixed reports on good governance as well as on democracy score cards. Tetteh is of the opinion that “there are still African countries where elections take place but still need to improve if they are to be given any credibility”.

She says a certain level of citizenry engagement has to happen, but that depends on the levels of governance a country has in place. Africa needs “more frank-to-frank talks as well as peer engagements” as part of efforts to improve good governance.

She cautions that “democracy isn’t just about electing a president”, but also about operations at local and provincial structures as well as how these structures are funded to deliver better. For Africa to prosper on the democratic front, Tetteh says she would encourage more transparency and openness. Dana Hyde, CEO of Millennium Change Corporation says that they are concerned about the mismatch in terms of progress, reality and trends happening within the continent.

Hyde states that her company, MCC, wants to assist Africa, “not just in dollar terms but to assist with technical and other expertise to help rid corruption in African institutions”. She believes that Africa should prioritise data and evidence, all infused in dialogue.

Julina Rotich, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Ushahidi, Kenya; Social entrepreneur, Global Agenda Council on Data-driven Development says Africa boosts an incredible number when it comes to youth and their access to technology. Thus, she believes more technology and information flow should be made available to African leaders to curb the data deficit, thus to boost their decision making mechanisms.

As moderator Julie Gichuru analysed, “Africa needs to face its own realities”.

Tetteh on the other hand says, “The citizenry should be more informed, each has to be active in engagement. Given the systems in place, we are getting there, it’s a matter of time and that time won’t be much longer”.

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