Four major foundations—the Ford Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, Luminate, and the Open Society Foundations—have launched a $20 million initiative known as the West Africa Democracy Fund (WADF). This three-year program is designed to confront the democratic challenges facing West African nations and aims to enhance citizen involvement in political transitions across the region. The fund seeks to address pressing issues that hinder democratic governance and promote more active participation from the populace in shaping their political landscape.
Darren Walker, President of the Ford Foundation, underscored the collaborative effort behind this initiative, thanking philanthropic partners, civil society, and government bodies for their contributions. He emphasized the importance of aligning support with the aspirations of West Africans striving for stronger democratic foundations. Walker noted the concerning link between the decline of democracy and the rise of inequality, asserting that promoting citizen engagement is crucial for building an inclusive and stable society that can foster economic prosperity.
Dr. Kole Shettima, Director of the MacArthur Foundation’s Nigeria Office, addressed the discrepancies between the demand for democracy and its actual delivery in West Africa. He pointed out that resistance to military rule has diminished, resulting in citizens facing significant abuse from those in power. Shettima expressed optimism that the newly established fund could provide the necessary support to realize the democratic aspirations of West Africans, thereby contributing to a more equitable and peaceful region.
Brian Kagoro, Managing Director of Programmes at the Open Society Foundations, highlighted the deep cultural ties to democracy within West African societies, framing the struggle for democratic governance as a quest for liberation from external domination and manipulation. Dr. ChiChi Aniagolu-Okoye, Regional Director of the Ford Foundation Office of West Africa, stated that the fund was created through extensive dialogue with local stakeholders, ensuring that the solutions developed will resonate with the community’s needs and aspirations. The WADF aims to facilitate inclusive democracy through grants that support multi-stakeholder dialogues and enhance key state institutions, such as the judiciary, while collaborating with regional organizations like ECOWAS and the African Union.
