Director of Programs and Operations at CDD-Ghana, Frederick Adu-Gyamfi, has highlighted the pressing security challenges facing the African continent.

The five-day event focused on enhancing human rights in Africa and brought together civil society organisations (CSOs) and African Union organs to address critical issues in governance, democracy, and human rights.

Adu-Gyamfi's opening remarks painted a sobering picture of the current state of affairs in Africa. He stated, "The threats of violent extremism and terrorism, once distant concerns, are now very real and present dangers on our continent."

This assessment underscores the urgency of the situation and the need for concerted action.

The convening, part of the Data for Governance Alliance (D4GA) initiative, aims to strengthen the capacity of pan-African CSOs to use data for advocacy and policy engagement.

Adu-Gyamfi stated the importance of this work in light of recent events, noting, "The impetus for this project stems from the troubling trend of democratic backsliding in Africa, underscored by recent coups in Niger and Gabon in 2023, and failed attempts in several other countries."

The instability in the Sahel region was highlighted as a particular concern, with Adu-Gyamfi stating, "The instability in the Sahel region, particularly in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, has only exacerbated the challenges facing our continent."

This regional turmoil compounds existing problems such as climate change, corruption, and economic mismanagement.

He warned of the dangerous consequences of these challenges, saying, "The absence of effective state presence in many communities has left a vacuum that extremist groups are eager to fill, drawing vulnerable youth into their ranks."

This situation underscores the complex interplay between governance failures and security threats.

The convening in Accra is part of a series of events aimed at fostering collaboration between CSOs and African Union organs to address these pressing issues.

As Africa faces multiple crises, from climate change to violent extremism, the need for coordinated action and effective governance has never been more critical.