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Speakers at this year's Akoto Ampaw Active Citizenship Dialogue (AAACD) captivated attendants with insightful discussions on both global and local perspectives, as well as key issues in the activism space, leaving participants eager for more knowledge on active citizenship.
The annual event, organized by the STAR Ghana Foundation, featured speakers who demonstrated remarkable wisdom and brilliance in their presentations.
The engaging discussions drew continuous applause from the enthusiastic audience, who remained attentive throughout the over four-hour event.
The panelists included veteran journalist and human rights activist Prof. Kwame Karikari, gender and human rights specialist at FIDA Ms Susan Aryeetey, investigative journalist and digital activist Manasseh Azure-Awuni, and youth activist and governance advocate Ms Felicity Nelson.
The highlight of the event was the keynote address by ace broadcast journalist and General Manager of Citi FM, Bernard Avle, whose vast knowledge in activism left a lasting impression on the guests.
Speaking on the theme "Inter-Generational Dialogue for Active Citizenship: Lessons and Opportunities for the Future," Mr. Bernard Avle encouraged activists to leverage their platforms to advocate for the well-being of the Ghanaian people.
He provided a detailed overview of notable Ghanaian activists and the significant impact of their work, challenging current and future activists to apply the knowledge gained from their respective fields to create meaningful change in their communities.
"You can't be a citizen if you don't appreciate community so it is not an imported concept. citizenship is not alien to the African. We've always understood it and we've always manifested it just that we manifested it differently."
Bernard Avle speaking at the event
"In modern times when we talk of citizenship, political action, participatory democracy, civil society and community support are all elements of citizenship as it is conceptualised today," he said.
"If you can't use that knowledge to liberate your people, you don't really know it because the only purpose of knowledge is usability. Go back to your hometown and say, okay, how can I use this to help the farmers in their farm gate pricing? How can I use this to unlock markets for them? That's the true purpose of knowledge. That's what an activist intellectual does. Not to come on city breakfast show, news file and just speak English," he said.
He also urged activists to recognize the power they hold as convenors and use it responsibly.
"I see society and media together. They must understand and harness it. Convening power is very, very important. If you have access to politicians, don't use it to ask them for scholarships. Bring them and ask them hard questions. That's what convening power is. Bringing different groups together."
"You are the only person who can call chiefs, politicians and all these people together into the same room. It's a very powerful thing that you have," he said.
He also emphasized the importance of community-based collaboration, urging citizens to work together with a shared understanding of their rights and responsibilities.
Manasseh Azure Awuni joined the event via zoom from the US
"Citizens must be interested in community-based collaborations. Community-based collaboration is very important. It is a collaboration and not competition."
"Now this is very important because if people, if we need to be on the same page, one of the most difficult things to do is to lead people who don't understand where you are sending them.
"We have to go back to communities and do engagements because that's the only way people can understand where we are taking them."
"Today I'm glad that somebody who did not occupy a political office, elected office, (11:54) is being celebrated," he added.
Prof. Kwame Karikari urged citizens to actively engage in promoting developmental issues and contribute meaningfully to the progress of the nation.
"Anybody can be an activist," he said. "From a footballer to an artist, a canteen weaver, a basket weaver, a musician, or a poet—you don’t have to be the greatest scientist. As a musician, you could be an Ephraim Amu, an Anampe, a guitarist, or even a philosopher. But one thing you cannot be is a criminal."
He further emphasized the importance of contributing to society: "If you are active in society, you are called omamba. On the other hand, Timamuhum or timamukwa refers to someone who makes no contribution to society. Anyone who plays a meaningful role and contributes is an activist," Prof. Karikari said.
In her presentation, Mrs Susan Aryeetey highlighted the significant contributions of Ghanaian women activists to nation-building, stressing the importance of recognizing and celebrating their work.
Meanwhile, Mr Azure-Awuni reaffirmed his commitment as a journalist, promising to continue using his platform to expose wrongdoing and hold governments accountable for their actions and inactions.
"As a journalist, I see so much wrong, and it isn't everything that I can report or write about, and I think it is only fair that irrespective of who is in office, I have to point it out. If Akufo-Addo was clearing people standing or being investigated for corruption and other things, and we called him a clearing agent, and we have a new president who promises accountability, and we are seeing that cases have been discontinued without explanation, then I have to call them out and demand explanation," he said.
"As with all activists, you'll be insulted and vilified. You'll be told, who are you to even ask the government to come and explain? But if at the end of the day, the government comes to explain, we may not agree with everything they say, but I think it is progress, and for me, this is what I think I'm supposed to do," he added.
The Chairperson of the Governing Council of STAR Ghana Foundation, Hajia Hamdiya Ismaila, highlighted that the dialogue marked the foundation’s first public activity of the year, emphasizing the significance of engaging their constituents in the civic space.
She stated that the foundation is committed to promoting active citizenship as a vital tool for driving change, empowering citizens, and influencing national development.
"It is our pleasure to have you all here representing different institutions and generations, ages, social assignments and with diverse experience and activitism that has helped to shape our society at all levels today," she said
"To us at Star Ghana Foundation, the promotion of active citizenship for change is critical because empowered citizens influence change and national development. It is for this reason that the Akoto Ampaw Active Citizenship Policy Dialogue are conducted annually to provide strategic platform for such critical conversations that recognises activitism from the past to present and how to bring the way forward towards critical review and some of these generational approaches and their impact," she stated.
Since its inception in 2021, the Akoto-Ampaw Active Citizenship Dialogue (AAACD) has served as a platform for fostering civic engagement, participatory governance, and social accountability in Ghana.
Organized annually by STAR-Ghana Foundation, the dialogue brings together key stakeholders—including civil society organizations (CSOs), policymakers, academics, and active citizens—to discuss pressing national issues and explore pathways for strengthening active citizenship in governance.
Following the passing of Lawyer Akoto Ampaw in 2023, the STAR-Ghana Foundation renamed the dialogue in his honor, recognizing his lifelong dedication to democracy, human rights, and active citizenship.
Akoto Ampaw played a pivotal role in shaping Ghana’s civil society landscape, contributing to the promotion of inclusive governance, citizen participation, and social justice.
Through his tireless advocacy, he left an indelible mark on Ghana’s democratic journey. By renaming the event, STAR-Ghana Foundation seeks to keep his vision alive, ensuring that citizen activism remains a central force in Ghana's governance and development.
