Gwamcee News
In a region where democracy is facing unprecedented challenges, a new wave of creatives and civil society leaders are joining forces to reclaim the narrative and shape the future of West Africa.
On Friday, June 21, the West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network WADEMOS in collaboration with CDD-Ghana, Yiaga Africa, Africtivistes and AWO Hub launched the DemoCreatives initiatives at the Raddission Blu, in Lagos, Nigeria.
DemoCreatives launch in Lagos, Nigeria.
The initiative, ”DemoCreatives” is an innovative movement that brings together Africa creatives, poets, musicians, singers and painters, bloggers and influencers to federate efforts to promote democracy in Africa and all its region.
At a panel session by Cynthia Mbamalu, Yiaga Africa.
Launching the initiative, DJ Switch said freedom fighters and history makers are crucial to shaping the future. “What we decide to do, how, where we decide to do it and when to do it are the special ingredients to making history and they will be nothing to reference if someone or a group of someone has not decided to do anything,”
DJ Switch
According to her, civil societies and creatives have a long history of incomplete collaboration, like a “flame that never quite turns into a lasting marriage”.
“Art is an expression of human experience, emotions, and struggles, reflecting society’s trials and dreams. Artistic expression is essential to a free society, fostering critical thinking, empathy, and understanding. Civil society acts as a link between the state and society, providing necessary needs. Art has historically driven revolutions and movements for change, such as Fela’s music and the EndSARS movement.
DJ Switch disclosed that democracy has faced many challenges, but art can provide an escape and inspire conscious action.
To succeed, she said the initiative needs big guns, creatives with influence to provoke emotions and spend money to make an impact, adding that collaboration between civil societies and creatives is crucial to make history and support democracy, “Art is not a luxury, but a necessity for a dying democracy,”
She also pledged to be part of the initiative with any capacity she can support.
Director of programs at Yiaga Africa, Cynthia Mbamalu in her welcome speech said Yiaga Africa emphasised the importance of solidarity, partnership, and expression in building a strong democracy in Africa, and the need for creatives, civil society, and citizens to work together to achieve this goal.
“There is a decline in democracy globally, and a “democratic recession” in the sub-region, with coups and authoritarian tendencies. Expression is fundamental to humanity, and civic space includes all individuals, not just creatives. Solidarity is crucial in building a democracy that works, and we must learn to stand together and speak for each other,” she said.
Chairman of CDD Wademos, Dr. Koto Asante, said Wademos is a response to the need for social change and the desire to see change in West Africa.
He said people need to feel free to express themselves and use their talents to improve the welfare of citizens, addressing challenges like poverty and underdevelopment, ” There is a sense of hopelessness and despair in West Africa, which needs to be reversed.
“Ceatives have a crucial role to play in inspiring and motivating people to fight for change. In the past, creatives in West Africa, like Fela Kuti, used their art as a form of activism, but in recent years, many have focused more on the business side. There is a need to bridge the gap between civil society and creatives to harness the power of artistic expression for social change,” he said.
Paul Osei-Kuffuor in his paper on State of democracy in West Africa and why creatives must get involved, said Africa has experienced a democratic recession over the last two decades, with a decline in democratic trends and a rise in autocracy in West Africa. This trend, he said is driven by various factors, including military coups, constitutional coups, and the contradictory role of digital and social media.
He said: “Between 2002 and 2023, there were 26 successful coups in Africa, with 13 occurring in West Africa, making it the region with the highest number of coups. This phenomenon requires research to understand why West Africa has become an “epic center for coups.”
He however, emphasised the need for more action beyond the status quo to address this issue, as the forces opposing democracy continue to gain strength.
Also, Ghanian singer, Rocky Dawuni said the creative sector can foster cooperation among countries, share best practices, and create a larger market for creative products.
He highlighted that international support from organisations and NGOs can be leveraged for funding, training, and capacity building initiatives.
“The youth population is a significant asset for Africa’s future, and this generation has the opportunity to create a stable, democratic Africa that inspires the world,” he said.
The launch also saw a panel discussion that was anchored by Cynthia Mbamalu on “Working with creative: Understanding the motivations, impact and opportunities and challenges” with Kofi Kiaata, MI, Youssouf Barry ( Guinea Artist) Sister Lb (Senegalese Rapper and woman rights advocates and Yemi Adamolekun (CSO Leader) Chief Moomen (Renowned Play Writer), and many musical performance, artists, etc.
