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(L-R): Dr Philip Attuquayefio, Keynote Speaker, Mrs Levinia Addae-Mensah, WANEP’s Executive Director and Dr George Amoah, Executive Secretary, National Peace Council, Ghana
From 26 to 27 March 2025, the West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP) held its 18th General Assembly in Accra, Ghana, under the theme “Changing Dynamics in Multilateralism and Regionalism – The Role and Prospects for CSOs.” The event brought together delegates from WANEP’s National Networks, including Board Chairs, National Network Coordinators, Regional Board Members, staff from the Regional Secretariat, Liaison Coordinators at the AU and ECOWAS, as well as key stakeholders from partner organisations and funding bodies.
The Assembly opened with a welcome address from Mrs. Levinia Addae-Mensah, WANEP’s Executive Director, marking her first General Assembly since assuming her role. She spoke of the challenges facing West Africa, describing the region as a “tapestry unraveling with significant fault lines of fragility.” She highlighted critical issues such as growing insecurity, the expansion of terrorism, and regional fragmentation, with some States seeking alternative alliances outside ECOWAS. These challenges, she noted, were central to the theme of the Assembly, which reflected geopolitical rivalries, shifting multilateralism, and the decline of Western influence. Mrs. Addae- Mensah also addressed the impact of climate change, economic pressures, and funding challenges on WANEP’s peacebuilding efforts, emphasising the need for innovation and adaptability in response to these evolving dynamics. She concluded by acknowledging WANEP’s success in promoting peaceful transitions in Senegal and Ghana, demonstrating the power of local partnerships and offering hope for the region’s future.
In her opening remarks, WANEP Board Chair, Mrs. Florence Iheme, highlighted key institutional milestones, including the appointment of WANEP’s first female Executive Director, reaffirming the organisation’s commitment to gender-responsive governance and resilience. She also emphasised WANEP’s long-standing collaborations with development partners such as the Austrian Development Agency (ADA), Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA), German Development Agency (GIZ), and the European Union, along with its Memorandum of Understanding with ECOWAS, strengthening WANEP’s trusted role in regional peace and security. Mrs. Iheme further acknowledged the success of WANEP’s Organisational Development Index (WODI), which has significantly enhanced institutional capacity across National Networks and earned recognition beyond West Africa. She concluded by stressing how the Assembly provided a platform to assess progress under WANEP’s 2021-2025 Strategic Plan.
Dr. Alhaji Sarjoh Bah, Director of the African Union’s Conflict Management Directorate, in his goodwill message, extended warm congratulations to WANEP on its 18th General Assembly, celebrating over 25 years of impactful peacebuilding in West Africa. He emphasised the need for sustained investment in conflict prevention, mediation, and regional cooperation, recognising WANEP’s grassroots initiatives as key in fostering dialogue, reconciliation, and resilience.
Dr. George Amoh, Executive Secretary of the National Peace Council of Ghana, also shared his goodwill message, stating that, alongside WANEP and by working with regional peace infrastructures, they will become stronger and nurture a future generation poised to take over. He highlighted WANEP’s role not only as a partner but as a trusted friend and the backbone of the National Peace Council.
A key highlight of the event was the announcement of the 2024 WODI assessment results, which recognised the top-performing National Networks for their outstanding contributions. WANEP Togo (93.42%), WANEP Mali (90.96%), and WANEP Benin (90.14%) were celebrated for their exceptional institutional development and impactful work in advancing peacebuilding across the region.
Keynote speaker Dr. Philip Attuquayefio, Senior Research Fellow at the Legon Centre for International Affairs and Diplomacy (LECIAD), urged ECOWAS and the African Union to confront the rising challenges of unconstitutional government changes and insurgencies. He stated that Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) must adapt to remain relevant in the changing dynamics of multilateralism and regionalism. Dr. Attuquayefio encouraged CSOs to combine traditional advocacy with grassroots-driven activism and called for the inclusion of youth and women through digital platforms to advance human rights, governance, and social justice. He concluded by advocating for stronger alliances with international networks and emerging economies to amplify the impact of civil society initiatives.
The 18th General Assembly provided a valuable opportunity for reflection, enabling participants to assess WANEP’s progress, identify gaps, and shape its future direction. It reaffirmed WANEP’s commitment to peacebuilding, conflict prevention, mediation, and policy advocacy, and facilitated strategic discussions on the evolving roles and challenges faced by regional and multilateral institutions in their pursuit of a better world.
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