The 3rd Baraza opens in Accra, rallies action against Africa’s crises

The 3rd African Social Movements (ASM) Baraza has officially opened in Accra, bringing grassroots organisers, activists, and leaders under one umbrella to brainstorm over how to foster solidarity, promote democratic engagement, and also amplify African voices in tackling inequality, geopolitical tensions, and environmental crises.

This three-day event, taking place from April 14 to 16, is organised by TrustAfrica in collaboration with the Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), under the theme “The Power of Movements.”

At a time when Africa faces overlapping crises—ranging from economic instability and political uncertainty to social polarisation, marginalisation, and worsening environmental challenges—the Baraza provides a critical platform for African leaders to shape a collective response rooted in unity, justice, and self-determination.

The Executive Director of TrustAfrica, Dr. Ebrima Sall, in his remarks underscored the vital role social movements play in advancing justice, equity, and inclusive development across the continent.

"Across Africa, people are organising—whether to fight for women’s rights, environmental justice, or to resist poverty and inequality. Movements are not a threat; they are a force for good," Dr. Sall stated. "Governments must stop viewing movements as enemies and begin to engage them as partners in the democratic process."

Dr. Sall also highlighted the urgent need for a borderless Africa, where the free movement of people across the continent is recognised as a fundamental right.

"We cannot continue to welcome people from the Global North with open arms while closing borders to fellow Africans," he stressed. "If we are serious about African integration, then mobility for Africans must be prioritised."

Adding that, the Baraza is not only a space for reflection and resistance but also a forum for strategic action. This year’s event aims to foster dialogue among African social movement leaders on global and continental political developments, generating common positions on key issues.

It seeks to strengthen solidarity, collaboration, and joint action among movements across Africa, while providing a platform for showcasing successful organising efforts, sharing lessons learned, and fostering trust-building between movement leaders and funders to better support African-led initiatives.

The Programmes Director at TrustAfrica, Briggs Bomba, also underscored the urgency of the moment, describing Africa’s current challenges as a "compound crisis"—a convergence of economic instability, political uncertainty, and social disintegration.

He called for a "double movement"—one that envisions progress while healing from within. "Failing to address economic injustice fuels political instability, which in turn fractures society and deepens individual despair," Bomba declared. "Movements must evolve into spaces of healing, not merely resistance."

He also encouraged delegates to reclaim indigenous knowledge systems and traditional resilience mechanisms, particularly those that helped communities endure the COVID-19 pandemic without reliance on formal institutions.

"We remembered how to care for one another, how to heal with herbs, how to teach without classrooms, and how to resolve conflict without courts. Our history holds power. We must recover it, " he Bomba said.

The Programme Officer at CDD-Ghana, Vera Abena Addo, also emphasised about the importance of institutional support for sustaining movement-driven change.

She highlighted CDD-Ghana’s long-standing commitment to governance, democracy, and accountability. "We see movements not as disruptions but as democratic expressions that deserve space and support," Addo affirmed.

However, she also stressed the need to support youth-led movements, such as Ghana’s #FixTheCountry campaign, while urging against the use of state force during peaceful protests.

"When young people mobilise, they are calling to be heard. That’s not a threat—it’s a civic duty," she said. "We’ve opened up our offices to movements and supported them with spaces for dialogue, meetings, and engagement with policymakers."

As the Baraza progresses, participants will engage in panel discussions, workshops, and strategy sessions focusing on civic space, democratic renewal, economic justice, transformative leadership, and African solidarity. The convening is expected to conclude with a shared agenda to strengthen African social movements, promote unity, and advance homegrown solutions to the continent’s most critical challenges