Monday, September 1, 2014

First-ever High-Level Public Forum on Regional Development in West Africa -- 4-5 September, EASTGATE HOTEL, Accra

High-Level Public Forum on Regional Development in West Africa


Introduction and Objectives
The Research & Communications Unit of “Africa in Focus” (Radio XYZ) plans to host a two-day high-level public forum on “ECOWAS integration; regional security; and the role of Rwanda in promotion of intra-African tourism” in Accra, on Thursday 4 and Friday 5 September, 2014 at Eastgate Hotel.

The forum will bring together a group of around ten that include senior policy officials, civil society leaders, researchers and community leaders to discuss ongoing debates around ECOWAS integration; regional peace and security; the informal economy; and efforts to promote intra-African trade with the view of providing the necessary public support to these initiatives. The involvement of these stakeholders in the advocacy efforts around ECOWAS and African integration efforts is not only important but very urgent. The theme of the forum is “enhancing public knowledge and engagement on regional development in West Africa”.

The forum has the following specific objectives:
1.      Increase participants’ and public knowledge and engagement on ongoing ECOWAS integration efforts on energy security in the region and across the continent; and their implications for Ghana;
2.     Discuss recent initiatives by ECOWAS and its stakeholders on West African integration efforts; regional peace and security; and East Africa on facilitating tourism in Africa 

Background
"Africa in Focus" (AIF) is a brand-new two-hour discussion show that has been live-on-air every Tuesday since May 2014 on award-winning Radio XYZ93.1FM. Aired from 13h10 to 15h00 GMT, it is dedicated to telling Africa's story by educating and informing listeners on developments around manifold sectors in ECOWAS member states; the African Union and its institutions; and the AU's relationship with the Global South, including the BRIC countries.

It remains the only show on Ghanaian radio that seeks to shed light on untold stories of the manifold personalities; and institutions populating the African continent, as well as what the African private sector is doing to contribute to Africa's equitable growth. 

It is hosted by Emmanuel.K.Bensah Jr, who also heads the Research & Communications Unit. It has been meeting every week at Eastgate Hotel with the Business Desk to monitor and evaluate previous editions of AIF show; explore progress on the direction of the research component of the "Africa in Focus" show; the state of communication instruments (facebook; twitter; google plus community); how far weekly activities are contributing to enriching the Unit's monitoring of African integration dynamics of ECOWAS; the AU; and Africa's engagement with members of the Global South.

Finally, the meetings have sought to undertake innovative strategies to further-educate the public on Africa's development.
 The High-Level Forum is one of the Unit’s innovative strategies on educating about Africa.

ABOUT THE SHOW
The first edition of the "Africa in Focus" show was on Tuesday 6 May at 14h00. Entitled "EPAs and Matters Arising", it featured three(3) guests at the studio –Kingsley Ofei-Nkansah of the Economic Justice Network, and General Agricultural Worker's Union; Franklin Cudjoe of think-tank IMANI, who is an ardent advocate of Ghana signing the EPAs; and Frank Ofei -- a former ECOWAS official during 1980s and 1990s, with experience on the revision of the 1975 ECOWAS Treaty, establishment of the ECOWAS single currency, coordination of implementation of NEPAD in West Africa, private sector participation in the West African integration process, ECOWAS relations with the African Union particularly concerning the implementation of the African Economic Community (AEC) treaty, and ECOWAS negotiation of economic arrangements with other third parties (the European Union, World Bank, IMF, African Development Bank.
Other editions of the show have focused on:
·     Peace & Security in West Africa
·        Africa’s integration
·        The state of Civil Society in West Africa
·        East Africa versus West Africa
·        The informal economy in Africa
·        African solutions to African problems
·        Energy Security in West Africa

Participation
Participants at the first-ever forum will be drawn from the private sector; policy think tanks; and civil society organisations. The types of actors to be drawn into this forum will enable the Research & Communications Unit to strengthen relations with current stakeholders and establish new relations with relevant stakeholders in support of many of the development-related issues tackled on the weekly “Africa in Focus” show.

Format
Moderated by host of, and Head of Research & Communications of AIF, it is an opportunity to revisit and amplify some of the major topics covered over the past three months of the show. The idea is to encourage greater public engagement of the issues. The Forum is expected to start at 10:00am and end at 3:00pm with lunch for invited guests. There will be one coffee/tea break, separating the two segments. Below is the agenda.


Day ONE – 4 September, 2014; Venue: Eastgate Hotel, East Legon
Time
Activity

10:00am
Introduction & rationale of the Forum & moderation
Emmanuel.K.Bensah Jr
10:05am
What is ECOWAS, and where should it be by 2015?
Mr. Frank Ofei – CONFIRMED

10:20am
Towards a more equitable ECOWAS integration
 Kingsley Ofei-Nkansah, GAWU -- CONFIRMED
10:35:00 AM
  COFFEE BREAK

10.50am

Facilitating free movement in ECOWAS with private sector
Mrs.Afua Eshun, BORDERLESS ALLIANCE – CONFIRMED
11.05am
Promoting intra-African trade with agriculture
Edison Ade Gbenga, AgriPro Consulting – CONFIRMED
11.20am

Comments, Questions and Answers

11.30am

KEY NOTE presentation: Understanding the role of Civil society organization engagement in ECOWAS
Nana Asantewa Afadzinu, Executive Director, WACSI – CONFIRMED
12.00pm
Questions
All
12.10pm
The role of the Youth in ECOWAS member States
Rauf Kadri, Programmes Manager, Ghana Integrity Youth Campaign– CONFIRMED
12.50pm
Questions
All
13.00pm
Snacks & Drink

14.00pm
International Best Practices in the Informal Sector: Towards Regulation in Ghana
Executive Secretary of GHASALC Eunice Marfo – CONFIRMED
14.15pm
International Best Practices in the Informal Sector: Towards an Ethical Code of Conduct
Edmund Benjamin-Addy, GHASCA representative – CONFIRMED
14.30pm
Comments, Questions and Answers

15.00pm
Lunch for invited guests & End of Day One








DAY TWO – 5 September, 2014; Venue: Eastgate Hotel, East Legon
Time
Activity

10:00am
Summary of Day One
 Rapporteur / E.K.Bensah Jr
10:05am
Towards Afri-Tourism: Making Ghana a viable tourist destination
Kofi Akpabli, CNN-award-winning journalist -- CONFIRMED

10:20am
Rwanda; and Best Practices on Tourism
 Ignatius Ahimbisbiwe, Rwandair, Accra – CONFIRMED
10:35:00 AM
  COFFEE BREAK

10.50am

KEY NOTE presentation :Peace & Security in West Africa: Boko Haram and the role of ECOWAS in the Way Forward
Programmes Manager Stella Attakpah, GIABA, Dakar – PRESENTATION AVAILABLE
11.05am
Energy Security in West Africa: ERERA; WAPP; and the role of ECOWAS
Uwem Thompson, Ecowas Regional Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERERA), Accra – CONFIRMED
11.20am

Comments & Questions

11.30am
Role of research in facilitating peace & security in West Africa
KAIPTC rep (tbc)
11.45
Role of Civil society in facilitating peace & security in West Africa
Abdulai Diallo, West Africa Network on Peacebuilding(WANEP) CONFIRMED
12.00pm
Comments & questions

13.00pm

Snacks & Drinks

14.00pm
Updates from #EbolaWatch
 Kobby Blay
14.15pm
Presentation of AIF Volunteer Scheme
E.K.Bensah Jr

14.30pm

Close & Lunch for invited guests



Expected Outcomes
The public forum is expected to achieve the following outcomes:
a)      Increased knowledge and engagement on ECOWAS integration; intra-African trade; regional peace & security; energy security; the informal economy; and East Africa
b)     Increased and diversified public support for ECOWAS and its institutions; KAIPTC and its work; the countries of Rwanda and its best practices on tourism
c)      Strengthen and nurture collaborative links among key stakeholders for the purpose of advancing the goals of ECOWAS; free movement; energy security; and East Africa in Africa's integration


REGISTRATION FEES (GHS)


       EARLY BIRD
    CORPORATE/
         EMBASSIES
CC S             STUDENTS
                 SEC
    STUDENTS
      TERTIARY 
       WALK IN


        70GHC
          90GHC
40GHC
(30GHC-EARLY-bird)
50GHC
(40GHC-EARLY-bird)
50GHC/day

     120GHC (2days)                     
        180GHC(2 days)












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