ECOWAS Commissioner Sounds Alarm on Democracy as West Africa Civil Society Week Opens in Accra

The ECOWAS Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security, Ambassador Abdel-Fatau Musah (PhD), has warned that democracy in West Africa is under threat amid rising insecurity, governance gaps, and shrinking civic space.

Speaking at the opening of the 3rd West Africa Civil Society Week (WACS Week) on 19-20 November 2025, Musah described civil society as the “people’s megaphone,” essential for amplifying citizen voices, holding governments accountable, and partnering with regional bodies to uphold constitutional order and electoral integrity.

H.E. Mohamed Ibn Chambas, African Union High Representative for Silencing the Guns who joined the event remotely from Abuja stressed that democracy must go beyond elections to meet citizens’ basic needs in education, healthcare, and social protection.

He highlighted both the risks and opportunities of technology, urging civil society actors to collaborate strategically and harness digital tools to expand civic space and strengthen accountability.

Dr. Nana Afadzinu, Executive Director of WACSI, called on civil society to redefine its role by prioritizing transparency, community accountability, and value-driven action over donor-driven agendas.

She emphasized building resilient funding and strategic coalitions to withstand political pressures and shrinking civic spaces.

Sola Sam-Adeniyi, Team Lead at Spaces for Change, highlighted the growing threats to civic space, including violent extremism and limited freedoms, and called for locally driven solutions, capacity strengthening, and collective initiatives such as the Weaving Resilience network to advance human rights and social justice.

Delivering a speech on behalf of Dr. Catherine Chinedum Aniagolu-Okoye, Regional Director of Ford Foundation West Africa, Onyinye Onyemobi underscored that an empowered civil society is the backbone of democracy.

She urged participants to reflect critically on leadership, solidarity, and civic infrastructure, reminding the audience that “hope is the oxygen of democracy.”

Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, Deputy Chief of Staff to the President of Ghana, described civil society as the heartbeat of democracy, advocating for ethical, community-focused engagement, strategic use of civic technology, multi-stakeholder advisory frameworks, and research-driven peacebuilding across the region.

Key Takeaways from WACS Week 2025

• Redefining Civic Space: CSOs must prioritize community-centered accountability and rebuild trust with grassroots constituencies.
• Building Resilience: Organizations are urged to adopt sustainable funding models, strategic partnerships, and institutional strengthening.
• Youth and Women Engagement: Young people and women are critical to shaping civic space and democratic participation.
• Technology and Collaboration: Digital tools, when used responsibly, can expand civic engagement and strengthen accountability.
• Governance and Accountability: Regional integration, judicial reform, and community-focused governance are essential to combating corruption and promoting sustainable development.

The two-day event reinforced a clear message: civil society must be empowered, collaborative, and deeply rooted in communities to ensure democracy in West Africa is both resilient and inclusive.

The West Africa Civil Society Week (WACSW) 2025 is an annual convening that examines the state of civic space within the region and charts pathways for greater civil society effectiveness and democratic resilience.

Officially co-hosted by the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WASCI and Spaces for Change (S4C) with support of Ford Foundation and other partners, this year’s event enjoyed a massive patronage of over 300 civil society actors, activists, policy experts, and youth leaders from more than 10 West African countries.