Challenges to Governance and Participatory Development in Africa: Address to the international conference on governance for sustainable growth and equity by Mr. K. Y. Amoako executive secretary of the economic commission for Africa

Abstract

Address to the International Conference on Governance for Sustainable Growth and Equity by Mr. K. Y. Amoako Executive Secretary of the Economic Commission for Africa. Mr. Amoako, on his remarks highlighted that, there is no question that the world has a right to pass judgment on the state of Africa's governance. He says, in seeking answers to problems in African governance today, there are no cookie-cutter solutions. In addition, because political science is not really a "science" but an "art," technical solutions no matter how cutting-edge they are will fail if unaccompanied by a new and higher practice of the art of politics. The other challenge to Africa's well-being is nurturing democracy. The consensus at the governance forum in Addis Ababa was that although democracy is a difficult process requiring vigilance and reinforcement, it is essential to good governance. The UN's Special Initiative contains two pertinent civil-society components: strengthening sub-regional civil society organizations that foster peace in Africa and strengthening civil society organizations working on development.