ECOWAS to involve all in decision-process
The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), has launched a survey that will enable ordinary citizens within the ECOWAS member countries to contribute to the decision-making process of the regional body.
The survey on non-state actors (NSAs) would enable citizens within ECOWAS to make a meaningful impact on the lives of citizens of member states through a participatory and all-inclusive process.
In a statement read on his behalf, the Commissioner of Macro-Economic Policy of the ECOWAS Commission, Professor Lmbert N. Bamba, noted that without the proper involvement of the NSAs, it would be impossible to visualise the Vision 2020 concept which aimed at transforming the current ECOWAS of States into an ECOWAS of People.
He, therefore, called on the commission and member states to take ownership of the new vision by having a good knowledge and understanding of how the NSAs had evolved over time.
Professor Bamba further mentioned that with the changing trend in development, it was necessary to analyse the global environment and find partners who could sustain a viable economic position.
He said due to the flexibility and proximity of the NSAs to larger populations, as well as their ability to experiment with new small-scale projects, they were appropriate partners to help the Commission meet the development challenges in the world.
Prof. Bamba, therefore, called on the NSAs to work hand in hand with the state actors in order to achieve the desired impact of the Vision 2020.
The Chief Director of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Mrs Efe Simpson Ekuban, said the NSAs had a unique opportunity to play an increasing role in policy debates and development of the region due to their political and social legitimacy, as well as their flexibility.
She pledged the support of state authorities in the country who were committed to the cause of African integration.
The survey resulted from a meeting held in June, 2007 by the authority of Heads of State and Governments with the view to transforming the current “ECOWAS of states” into an “ECOWAS of peoples”, under one vision known as Vision 2020.
In May, 2008 the ECOWAS Commission initiated the formulation of the Community Development Programme (CDP), with greater emphasis on participatory and inclusive approaches of all ECOWAS citizens, especially the NSAs.
In order to operationalise the vision, in May, 2010, a road map was adopted in Abuja, Nigeria, with representatives of civil society organisations.
At the close of the meeting, it was concluded that a survey involving all actors in each member state be conducted, in order to identify their challenges, and evaluate their potential contribution to the development agenda of the region.
The NSAs include civil society, the media, private sector, trade unions and researchers among other groups.
The survey on non-state actors (NSAs) would enable citizens within ECOWAS to make a meaningful impact on the lives of citizens of member states through a participatory and all-inclusive process.
In a statement read on his behalf, the Commissioner of Macro-Economic Policy of the ECOWAS Commission, Professor Lmbert N. Bamba, noted that without the proper involvement of the NSAs, it would be impossible to visualise the Vision 2020 concept which aimed at transforming the current ECOWAS of States into an ECOWAS of People.
He, therefore, called on the commission and member states to take ownership of the new vision by having a good knowledge and understanding of how the NSAs had evolved over time.
Professor Bamba further mentioned that with the changing trend in development, it was necessary to analyse the global environment and find partners who could sustain a viable economic position.
He said due to the flexibility and proximity of the NSAs to larger populations, as well as their ability to experiment with new small-scale projects, they were appropriate partners to help the Commission meet the development challenges in the world.
Prof. Bamba, therefore, called on the NSAs to work hand in hand with the state actors in order to achieve the desired impact of the Vision 2020.
The Chief Director of the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning, Mrs Efe Simpson Ekuban, said the NSAs had a unique opportunity to play an increasing role in policy debates and development of the region due to their political and social legitimacy, as well as their flexibility.
She pledged the support of state authorities in the country who were committed to the cause of African integration.
The survey resulted from a meeting held in June, 2007 by the authority of Heads of State and Governments with the view to transforming the current “ECOWAS of states” into an “ECOWAS of peoples”, under one vision known as Vision 2020.
In May, 2008 the ECOWAS Commission initiated the formulation of the Community Development Programme (CDP), with greater emphasis on participatory and inclusive approaches of all ECOWAS citizens, especially the NSAs.
In order to operationalise the vision, in May, 2010, a road map was adopted in Abuja, Nigeria, with representatives of civil society organisations.
At the close of the meeting, it was concluded that a survey involving all actors in each member state be conducted, in order to identify their challenges, and evaluate their potential contribution to the development agenda of the region.
The NSAs include civil society, the media, private sector, trade unions and researchers among other groups.
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