A Ghana-based Pan-African and non-governmental organisation, Africa Participatory Governance Forum (APGF) has called on stakeholders especially African governments to “adhere to tenets of participatory democracy” and combat exclusion.
In a press statement in commemorating the Africa Union Day on May 25, the organisation accused African governments of using “legislatures subservient to the president to change their constitutions to allow them to stay in power” beyond their mandatory tenures of ruling adding that, some stay in perpetuity.
For the organization, Africa should “strive to have a united, peaceful and secure” atmosphere recognising its own cultural identity, common heritage and shared values in the collective development of the continent. It hopes the creativity of the youth will take centre stage in the course.
APGF also urges African youth to embrace their cultures and engage in activities that will address the plights of their people, precisely to effect reduction and eradication of “poverty, diseases and ignorance”. It adds that the African youth should position themselves to take their rightful positions at the table of governance in the continent and the world at large.
The UA Day which was celebrated on the theme “Arts, Culture and Heritage: Levers for Building the Africa we Want” is an annual commemoration of the Organisation of African Unity (OAU) formed on 25th May 1963 and later changed to African Union (AU) in 2001.
This year’s celebration coincides with the Continental Launch of the Entry into Force of the Charter for African Cultural Renaissance (2006).
Africa Participatory Governance Form (APGF) is a Non-Governmental Pan-African Organisation, incorporated in Ghana to promote learning, peace and dignity for all people, strengthen human rights and citizen participation in governance, ensure extreme poverty eradication, and safeguard a sustainable planet in the continent.
It is also to bring together former African student or youth leaders and other like-minded people to use their rich experiences, knowledge and know-how to serving their people, in particular the younger generation.
Below is the full statement;
Story by; EREDON GIEN JOSEPH
