Data for Governance Alliance Training Concludes, Encouraging African Civil Society to Address Critical Issues

As Reported by News Ghana

A week-long training workshop organized by the Data for Governance Alliance concluded on Friday in Cape Town, South Africa, leaving 35 representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs) and African Union (AU) member organs inspired to tackle Africa’s pressing challenges. The training equipped participants with skills in data analysis, communications, and advocacy to enhance their role in advancing governance, democracy, and human rights across the continent.

Ric Amansure, head of communications for the Institute for Justice and Reconciliation, commended the potential for increased collaboration, access to expertise, progress assessment, co-creation of advocacy programs, and joint monitoring and evaluation. These skills offer the promise of a more impactful and collective approach to addressing the continent’s challenges.

The European Union-funded Data for Governance Alliance project aims to empower pan-African CSOs with data-driven tools and knowledge to effectively engage with the AU’s African Governance Architecture and national governments.

Amansure expressed optimism about the project’s future impact, saying, “The Data for Governance Alliance is setting a course for a future where governance is more transparent, democracy is more vibrant, and human rights are vigorously protected throughout Africa.”

The workshop, under the theme “Enhancing governance, democracy, and human rights in Africa: Empowering pan-African civil society to effectively use data to enhance advocacy,” brought together CSOs from across Africa and participants from four African Union organs: the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), the Pan-African Parliament (PAP), the Committee on the Rights and Welfare of the Child (ACERWC), and the Economic, Social, and Cultural Council (ECOSOCC). Representatives from Data for Governance Alliance partners and Charter Project Africa also attended.

Key topics discussed during the workshop included elections, unconstitutional changes of government, the role of African youth in politics, and child welfare. The discussions were based on valuable insights from the latest Afrobarometer survey findings.

Lennon Monyae, a representative from the APRM, emphasized the importance of participants’ advocacy in highlighting citizens’ experiences and priorities. He noted the growing discontent among African citizens, particularly the youth, and how addressing these concerns is essential to prevent unconstitutional changes of government in the future.

The training has set the stage for CSOs and AU member organs to play a more proactive role in addressing Africa’s challenges using data-driven tools and strategies.