West Africa Democracy Fund Launched to Bolster Democracy Across the Region
A $20 million initiative has been unveiled to bolster democracy across West Africa, with the aim of addressing democratic challenges and fostering greater citizen engagement in political transitions. The West Africa Democracy Fund (WADF) is a collaborative effort between the Ford Foundation, John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Luminate, and Open Society Foundations.
According to a statement, the three-year fund will support activities aimed at increasing citizens’ engagement with democratic and political transitions in West African countries. The initiative is designed to address democratic challenges and promote inclusive democracy, including multi-stakeholder dialogues and regional engagements with bodies like the Economic Community of West African States and the African Union.
Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation, emphasized the collaborative nature of the initiative, saying, "I am grateful for the collaboration of our philanthropic, civil society, and government partners as we launch the West Africa Democracy Fund, which follows the lead of the people of West Africa as they work to strengthen the foundations of democracy and build a more resilient future."
Walker highlighted the link between declining democracy and rising inequality in the region, stressing the need for simultaneous solutions. "Greater citizen participation in democratic processes is needed to fully realise a peaceful, inclusive democracy that empowers citizens to build a society that is more just, and that contributes to greater prosperity and stable economy," he added.
Dr. Kole Shettima, Director of the Nigeria Office of the MacArthur Foundation, pointed to the challenges facing democratic movements in West Africa, stating, "In West Africa, the demand for democracy is not matched by the supply of democracy. Opposition to military rule has weakened across the continent, and citizens bear the brunt of abuses of power by ruling classes."
He expressed hope that the new fund would help West Africans achieve their aspirations for democracy dividends and contribute to a more just, peaceful, and sustainable region.
Dr. ChiChi Aniagolu-Okoye, Regional Director of the Ford Foundation Office of West Africa, said that the fund’s development involved extensive engagement with local stakeholders. "The West Africa Democracy Fund is the result of deep engagement and listening across the region with local leaders and civil society organisations. Therefore, the solutions we seek through this Fund will be homegrown, rooted in the needs and aspirations of the people of the sub-region, and driven by the people themselves," she said.
The West Africa Democracy Fund is a significant step towards promoting democracy and good governance in the region, and its impact is expected to be felt across West Africa.
