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Civil Society
Organizations get recognition in African Union
From Hannah Asomaning, a GNA
correspondent in Tanzania
Dar-Es- Salaam (Tanzania), Sept. 9, GNA – The African Union,
has formed a civil society arm with the objective of
translating principles and policies of the Union into
concrete programmes that every citizen could identify with.
The organization dubbed: “Economic, Social and Cultural
Council (ECOSOCC), would act as an advisory organization to
the Union and would work alongside other organs of the AU
such as the Pan-African Parliament and the African Court.
ECOSOCC is made up of 150 members drawn from 23 member
countries with two civil society groups from each country
representing various interests including women, children,
the youth, the elderly, people with disabilities and those
with special needs.
It also constitutes professional groups such as health
practitioners, social workers, legal professionals, media,
Non Governmental Organizations, community based organization
and would consider the involvement of social and
professional groups in the African Diaspora.
Ghana is represented by HATOF Foundation, an organization
concerned with environmental sustainability and WILDAF, an
organization that promotes and advocates for women’s
empowerment.
Mr Samuel Dotse, Chief Executive Officer of HATOF Foundation
told the Ghana News Agency in Dar-Es-Salaam that the AU used
to be a thing for heads of States in Africa, who decided on
behalf of their people without their involvement.
“Now the AU has become people making decisions for
themselves,” he said and explained that Civil Society
Organization were in contacts with people and could
communicate their concerns and needs about development
better to the governments.
ECOSOCC would also promote and defend a culture of good
governance, democratic principles and institutions while
ensuring popular participation in AU issues, human rights
and freedom as well as social justice.
GNA
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