By Nii Martey M. Botchway
Accra, July 24, GNA – The Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC), has called for active participation of the youth and women in Africa’s democratic and electoral processes.
This, the KAIPTC said, would not only expand participation but also strengthen democratic resilience in Africa.
Speaking at the closing ceremony of a training workshop for Women and Youth in Election Observation and Democracy, Air Commodore (Cmdr) David Anertey Akrong, the Acting Commandant of KAIPTC, said the youth had a responsibility not only as voters, but as agents of change in the electoral processes.
The three-day workshop organised by the KAIPTC in collaboration with the African Union (AU) Commission, and the Electoral Institute for Sustainable Democracy in Africa (EISA), aimed at expanding participation and strengthening democratic resilience by empowering and building the capacity of the youth in democratic and electoral processes.
Air Cmdr Akrong said promoting democratic integrity and resilience was a responsibility which must not be left only to adult political leaders.
He said the youth and women constituted the majority of the population on the African continent, hence their participation was crucial for sustainable democracy and development.
Touching on the relevance of the training, he said “having participated in the training workshop, the participants have been prepared to be impartial election observers to promote peace, transparency, and democracy in Africa.”
He expressed confidence in the participants, stating that, “it is my hope that when the opportunity comes for you to be deployed, you will use the knowledge and skills acquired from this training to promote electoral integrity and democratic resilience.”
Mr Bankole Adeoye, the Commissioner of Political Affairs, Peace, and Security at the AU Commission, reiterated the AU’s commitment to the inclusion of women and youth in electoral and democratic processes.
He said the AU’s commitment was reflected in its Strategy for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, the African Youth Charter, and Agenda 2063, which prioritised citizen engagement, particularly women and youth, in bringing about an inclusive continent.
Mr. Baidessou Soukolgue, Director of EISA, expressed appreciation for the partnership, and congratulated the participants on completing the training.
The training which covered 4 modules with 15 sessions, using power point presentations, group discussions, and brainstorming sessions, brought together 35 women and youth participants drawn from across Africa, with a bias on women participation.
Participants were presented with certificates at the end of the training.
GNA
Edited by Samuel Osei-Frempong