By Milcah Tanimu

The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Commission has highlighted the importance of including citizens in decision-making processes for the sake of effective governance. This message was delivered by Damtien Tchintchibidja, Vice President of the ECOWAS Commission, during the launch of the “Mobile Application on Citizens Participation for Accountable and Inclusive Democracy (C-PAID) in West Africa” project in Abuja.

The project, co-created by the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), aims to promote inclusive participation and development while enhancing good governance and democracy throughout the West African region.

The mobile application and online toolkit have been designed to foster active citizenship and provide better access to good governance and development opportunities in West Africa.

Tchintchibidja emphasized that the C-PAID application supports ECOWAS Vision 2050 and serves as a digital tool to facilitate ongoing discussions on accountable and inclusive governance. She highlighted the five interconnected pillars of Vision 2050, which aim to create an inclusive society with special attention to vulnerable segments such as women and youth.

Acknowledging the prevailing challenges in the region, including poverty, insecurity, and underdevelopment, Tchintchibidja stressed that building accountable and inclusive governance mechanisms is crucial for fostering sustainable peace and stability in West Africa.

Chukwuemeka Eze, Executive Director of WANEP, explained that the C-PAID project focuses on strengthening mechanisms to assess good governance in the region. He noted that democratic processes in West Africa have faced challenges, hindering broad citizen participation in governance, accountability, and monitoring indicators of good governance.

Lealem Dinku, acting Resident Representative of UNDP-Nigeria, added that internal politics, regional dynamics, and governance issues have contributed to insecurity in the region. He emphasized that engaging citizens in governance systems leads to transparency, improved accountability, and effective public resource management.

Overall, the C-PAID project seeks to empower citizens to actively participate in governance processes, ultimately leading to more transparent and effective democratic systems in West Africa.