Conference on Democracy, Civil Society and Governance in Africa: Opening Statement by Mr. K. Y. Amoako UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ECA

Abstract

This opening statement delivered by Mr. K. Y. Amoako UN Under-Secretary-General and Executive Secretary of ECA at the Conference on Democracy, Civil Society and Governance in Africa. Mr. Amoako, on his remarks highlighted that, the role of civil society in bringing about good governance is an important, not to say critical, dimension to the ongoing debate. We at ECA have recognized that - warts and all - civil society is an actor without whose participation good governance cannot be achieved. The issue now in Africa is not whether to democratize, but how, how soon, and in what form. An agenda to bolster democracy was developed in the First Annual African Governance Forum. Africa's civil society should establish an expectation that democracy be universal in Africa. We at ECA are encouraged by the experience of the First Governance Forum. It is anticipated that before each forum, African NGOs will meet to articulate and input their concerns into the main event, in which they will also actively participate.