ECA’s high-level colloquium to debate Africa’s democracy, governance, pan-African idea

As part of activities to mark this year’s Africa Day, the Governance and Public Administration Division of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) will be holding a High Level Colloquium at its headquarters in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Officials at the ECA say the colloquium will take place May 24 and the theme is “Democracy, Governance and Pan-African Idea: Whither Africa?”

Said Adejumobi, Acting Head of the Governance and Public Administration Division (GPAD) indicated that the colloquium is meant to “stimulate open and frank discussion and debate on Africa’s democratic trajectory and current political developments, against the backdrop of the ideas and ideals of Pan-Africanism espoused by Africa’s founding fathers towards the realization of a democratic, prosperous and politically stable continent.”

In a statement, the ECA said discussions will address questions and issues such as – What journey has the continent covered in promoting democracy and good governance? What are the problems and challenges? Has the Continent kept faith with the Pan-African ideas and ideals on democracy and governance? If not, why and how can the continent be set on the right track? How can African achieve a democratic, prosperous and developed society which ranks with other regions of the World?

The event this year will also honour a committed and notable pan-Africanist – Tajudeen   Abdul Raheem, former Secretary General of the Pan-African Movement (PAM), who died three years ago, while in the service of the Continent and the United Nations, the statement said.

By Ekow Quandzie