16th September 16, 2024
The West African Civil Society Forum (WACSOF), the umbrella body of civil society organizations in West Africa has initiated the process to convene its 2024 General Assembly, also called a “Peoples Forum”. This is a bold step forward considering that WACSOF has not been able to convene such a meeting since the last one was held in February 2016 due to lingering operational challenges, which have affected the organization’s proper functioning over the years.
Hence, as part of a plan for institutional renewal, the WACSOF General Secretary, Mr. Kop’ep Dabugat, appointed a committee of 18 civil society representatives from different countries across West Africa to support the WACSOF Secretariat in organizing the next peoples Forum before the end of 2024. During its inaugural meeting held on 10th September 2024, the committee adopted certain fundamental plans to guide the conduct of the 2024 WACSOF Peoples Forum. Among these plans is the adoption of 9th -10th October 2024 as the tentative date for the meeting to be held virtually.
During the meeting, the WACSOF General Secretary emphasized that the WACSOF Peoples Forum is a gathering of the representatives of a wide spectrum of civil society organizations in West Africa and partners to adopt critical plans for the organization’s smooth functioning. According to Article 6(3) (a) of the WACSOF Charter, the Peoples Forum is the supreme policy organ of the institution, providing sustained guidance to shape the general actualization of the organization’s mandate. The People’s Forum is supposed to meets every 2 years to renew the organization’s vision and leadership. These very important points were emphasized by the General Secretary
As organizations everywhere are always seeking the opportunity to improve and do better to ensure their mandate is achieved excellently, the convening of the next Peoples Forum can be seen as a very crucial moment. In practical terms, the next WACSOF Peoples Forum provides a platform for review of the forums impact and institutional effectiveness along several lines. First, the Peoples Forum will serve as an opportunity to review the results and outcomes of WACSOF’s programs and activities towards increasing their relevance and impact. Second, it will also provide an opportunity to review the organization’s policies and strategies to identify and address critical operational issues that affect organizational effectiveness and efficiency. Third, it is an opportunity to renew the mandate of WACSOF’s governance structures through the election of a new Executive Committee (Administrative Board). Fourthly, the peoples Forum will also provide the avenue for the identification of new priorities to inform WACSOF’s future plans.
The Planning and Organizing Committee for the 2024 WACSOF Peoples Forum shall reconvene on Thursday 19th September 2024 to take final decisions on the plans for the forum. Committee Members include Mr. Sidikou Moussa (President EPAD, Niger), who will serve as Chairman and Mr. Omang Dave (Executive Director Changing Dreams 2 Life, Eduradio, Nigeria) as Secretary. Other members of the committee include, Matthias Mahnboe Yeaney (Executive Director IREDD/ InfoQuest, Liberia), Mr. Alhassane Konah Balde (Executive Director CPJ, Guinea) – Member, Mr. Salieu Kamara (President SCRC, Sierra Leone) – Member, Mr. Siddikh Nias (President RADDOH, Senegal) – Member, Mr. Tiemoko Sangare (President FDS, Mali) – Mamber, Ms. Indira Correia (Guinea Bissau) – Member, Mr. Guerri Gomez (Guinea Bissau) – Member, Mr. Felix, Best Agorvor (Ghana). Other members of the Committee are yet to formally confirm acceptance of their appointment on the committee.
https://wacsofoscao.org/report-of-the-inaugural-meeting-of-the-organizing-committee-for-the-2024-wacsof-peoples-forum/Click to read full Committee Meeting Report [Link to Committee Meeting Report]
