BY Mayowa Tijani
Hamzat Lawal, founder, Follow The Money, one of the largest citizen’s movements on anti-corruption, is billed to speak to presidents and heads of states at the African Union high-level dialogue.
Earlier this year, the African Union during its 30th assembly of heads of state and government held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, declared 2018 as the African Anti-Corruption year.
This recognized the need to stifle corruption in its forms of manifestation if the continent must move forward in economic fronts, social development and deliver shared prosperity.
To achieve this, African Union is mobilising resources, commitments and partnerships across stakeholders and actors, government and non-governmental organisations, to eliminate corruption as the regions pre-eminent obstacle to economic development and prosperity.
In line with this, Lawal, the founder and chief executive of Connected Development [CODE], has been scheduled to speak at the African Union – African Governance Architecture (AU-AGA) 2018 High-Level Dialogue (HLD) on Democracy, Human Rights And Governance In Africa.
The dialogue is billed to hold between November 28th and 30th in Gaborone, Botswana, with the theme “Winning The Fight Against Corruption: A Sustainable Path To Africa’s Transformation”.
Hamzat will share his experiences and results leading the largest social accountability movement in Africa, using innovative Follow The Money methodology and work process.
“In many respects, the work we do is challenging and unique in the civic space. But because I am convinced that Africa may not escape poor governance and poverty without a citizens-response to the scourge of corruption, my team at CODE are emboldened and energized,” he said.
“I am proud that our efforts, contributions and commitments to a corrupt-free continent is gaining momentum and recognition and we have since put our theory of change and work process in public domain for adoption by young campaigners/activists across the continent, this meeting is one of such”.
“In the HLD at Gaborone, Botswana, I am expected to provoke debate on the role of citizens, media, open-government and community-based organisations in sustaining anti-corruption efforts in the continent, drawing from Follow The Money initiative.
“Specifically, I will provide insights into our methodology; its impacts, challenges and prospects for mainstreaming transparency and accountability in government systems as it affect public spending on service delivery in rural grassroots communities.
“I uphold that actualizing the AU Agenda 2063 and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is a farce without arresting or tackling corruption, frontally” he added.
“Young people must not lose hope in African institutions and public processes. For us, recognizing the power of citizens in Africa’s democratic future, citizens must be empowered to stay engaged and active.
“Founded in 2012, Follow The Money had mobilized and empowered millions of Africans, especially in the grassroots, on holding public/elected officials accountable and answerable.”
Lawal speaking at Africa Talks
Lawal added that Follow The Money has tracked $164 million in expenditure over the past six years, with a promise to do more.
“Holding a base in Nigeria, the movement runs dynamic chapters in The Gambia and Kenya (East Africa); implementing life-transforming campaigns across rural communities in the continent.
“Notable amongst our successful campaigns includes, #SaveBagega: remediation (environmental clean-up) of the lead poisoned Bagega – a population of about 7,535 where 1,500 children were victims of lead poisoning and who needed urgent medical intervention in Zamfara State, Northern Nigeria.
“In total, we have tracked public expenditures to the tune of over NGN 50 billion (USD 164 million) in the last six years”.
Leading a strong anti-corruption civic organisation in the continent and deepening debates for institutional reforms, CODE made presentations at the regional anti-corruption conferences in East Africa represented by Ms Eve Nicole, Follow The Money Kenya Lead; and West Africa by Marr Nyang who leads Follow The Money in The Gambia.
Hamzat Lawal, who spoke during the Africa Talks session, themed, “Leveraging Youth capacities for the Fight Against Corruption in Africa,” and held in Dakar, Senegal from 5 – 7 September 2018.
This Dialogue will bring heads of state and government representatives, civil society groups, the media at the Gaborone International Conference Center in Gaborone, Botswana.
The dialogue will be led by Mogkweetsi Masisi, president of the Republic of Botswana, and attended by Hage Geingob, president of the Republic of Namibia; Thabo Mbeki, former president of the Republic of South Africa; Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, former president of the Republic of Liberia; and Ngozi Okonjo Iweala, former finance minister of Nigeria and chair, African Risk Capacity.
Other dignitaries confirmed to speak include, Prime Minister of Lesotho, Motsoahae Thabane; President Paul Kagame of Rwanda; and President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria; among other incumbent and former heads of government.
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