This short piece is my personal memoir on the STAR-Ghana convention for the 2016 election grant partners. The convention provided a learning platform for experience sharing and CSO networking. Apart from having the platform to share the work of the National Catholic Secretariat under the Forum for Actions on Inclusion, Transparency and Harmony (FAITH) in Ghana’s 2016 Elections project, the forum gave me broad exposure on key actions and contributions of both state and non-state actors to the outcome of the 2016 elections. My two day experience from the learning event thus becomes a basis for sharing my reflection.
The contribution of STAR-Ghana and grant partners to the 2016 elections outcome cannot be overemphasized. Each election grant partner of STAR – Ghana made a unique contribution to the success of the 2016 elections ranging from early warning signal surveillance studies, ADR mediation, awareness creation, disbandment of vigilante groups, creating spaces for persons with disability, women participation, etc. The critical role of Faith-Based Leaders under the interfaith platform in engaging election stakeholders such as the Electoral Commission, Political Parties, and Security Agency at the national level also came out very strongly. I left the convention convinced about the fact that Civil Society work yields results and the 2016 election outcome is a testimony.
I particularly learnt that there is power in working around thematic areas. This approach to work unleashes the potential of every unit from the pool. Each grant partner had a success story from the thematic area they worked in which for me was commendable.
Going into the future, I recommend that Civil Society engagement should not be limited to or concentrated on pre-election initiatives. Civil Society should have an ongoing engagement before, during and after the elections. A key area for CSO work would be post election disturbances that take the form of seizures of public property, takeovers of public spaces and victimization of loosing political parties. These post-election disturbances can be grounds for incumbents to bend the law in order to stay in power forever. The influence of Faith-Based leaders should be explored further to enable them engage all stakeholders in the elections value chain through dialogue.
The guided tour/world café concept used at the STAR-Ghana convention is a brilliant idea. However, due to the high number of exhibitions and the limited time allotted, it makes it difficult for the tour guides to visit all the stands. It will be great if STAR Ghana could either allot more time for the guided tour or give grant partners time to make presentation of their work at the plenary.
In conclusion, the interfaith platform - Forum for Actions on Inclusion, Transparency and Harmony (FAITH) is an interesting innovation that should be sustained for the purpose of election engagement and other public policy engagements.
Thank you.
David
