CSOs launch initiative to drive political activism among creatives in West Africa

The West Africa Democracy Solidarity Network (WADEMOS) has unveiled an initiative to engage creatives in the quest for good governance across Africa.

The initiative, named “Democreatives”, was launched on Friday at the Radisson Blu Anchorage in Victoria Island, Lagos.

Established in 2022, WADEMOS is a nonpartisan network of national civil society organisations in West Africa.

Democreatives is an initiative to mobilise creatives across West Africa to defend and advance democracy, good governance, and inclusivity through artistic expression.

The project was launched in collaboration with the non-profits Centre for Democracy and Development (CDD) and Yiaga Africa.

The launch showcased the works of artists, celebrating creativity and highlighting the impact of creatives in West Africa.

Kojo Asante, the head of research and programmes at CDD Ghana, discussed the role of creatives in combating what he describes as the decline of democracy in the region.

“From the start, our vision was to mobilise the whole of society to counter democracy decline. We saw the role of creatives as critical,” he said.

“And the question was how can we mobilise the creativity and the creative resources of all West Africans so we can take on the challenges of governance and development.

“Democreatives was the answer, an initiative to mobilise creatives across the subregion to defend and advance democracy, good governance, and inclusivity.”

Democracy in West Africa has faced significant challenges in recent years that analysts have described as a sign of decline.

This is marked by political instability, coups, and unconstitutional power grabs in countries like Mali, Guinea, and Burkina Faso.

Electoral malpractices, weakened institutions, suppression of dissent, and press freedom issues further erode democratic norms.

Economic crises, crime, insurgencies, and terrorism have contributed to the diminishing public trust in elected authorities.

At the launch, MI Abaga, the rapper, stressed the importance of collaboration among West African creatives to uplift the region.

“It is wartime for Africa. I have lost an uncle to kidnappers. It is real,” the rapper explained during a panel discussion.

“It is around us. The stats are damning. It is critical for us as creatives to get involved.”

Other notable guests who were at the event include Cynthia Mbamalu, the co-founder of Yiaga Africa.

Also present were the disc jockey DJ Switch, the Grammy nominee Rock Dawuni, and the Gambian rapper Killa Ace.