Abuja, Nigeria — October 21, 2024.
On October 21, 2024, a delegation from the West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF), led by Acting General Secretary Mr. James Ugochukwu alongside WACSOF Communication team Mr John Okoreni and Miss Lynda Nnajihu, engaged in a productive working visit to the Yar’Adua Foundation in Abuja. The meeting, held with Mr. Amara Nwankpa, the Foundation’s Director of Partnerships and Development, aimed to discuss potential collaboration between the two organizations to bolster civil society initiatives across West Africa in line with ECOWAS 2050 Agenda
During the meeting, Mr. Ugochukwu provided an overview of WACSOF, which acts as the umbrella body for civil society organizations in the region. Established in 2003 with the backing of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), WACSOF is committed to complementing ECOWAS’s Vision 2050 goals focused on ECOWAS of the people, peace and security. Acknowledging past challenges within WACSOF, Mr. Ugochukwu emphasized his dedication to repositioning WACSOF as a vital platform for engagement between ECOWAS and civil society in the West African region.
WACSOF operates across six thematic areas aligned with key development issues and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and Mr. Ugochukwu expressed a strong desire for the organization to regain its visibility and influence in the region, especially in light of the newly launched West African Democratic Fund, which opens new avenues for project support.
He clarified that WACSOF’s mission extends beyond aggregating civil society organizations (CSOs); it also involves advocating for ECOWAS policies and initiatives at the grassroots level. He pointed to an upcoming advocacy initiative aimed at eradicating child marriage in collaboration with WLDALF – AO as a prime example of WACSOF’s proactive approach.
Mr. Nwankpa expressed admiration for WACSOF’s mission, as a platform which amplifies the voices and advocacy efforts of civil society across the West Africa region. He shared initiatives aimed at strengthening WACSOF. He expressed the need for a strong solidarity network to be built within the region which can be leveraged on to drive regional policies.
Additionally, Mr. Nwankpa urged WACSOF to actively engage with the ECOWAS Authority and of Heads of Government by enhancing the visibility and significance of WACSOF’s advocacy efforts in front of key state leaders.
Conclusion
The Yar’Adua Centre reaffirmed its commitment to collaborating with WACSOF on rebuilding networks among civil society organizations.
Both parties expressed optimism about the collaboration potential, emphasizing the critical role of solidarity among civil society organizations in the West African region. WACSOF is eager to leverage the insights gained during this visit to enhance its impact and visibility in promoting democratic values and practices throughout West Africa
