ACBF AND THE PAN AFRICAN
PARLIAMENT SIGN US$2 MILLION GRANT
AGREEMENT
ACBF signed a US$2 million dollar grant
agreement with the Pan African Parliament
(PAP) on August 6, 2007 in Midrand,
Johannesburg. Since its inception
PAP has achieved some significant
milestones and demonstrated its value
addition and relevance to the integration
process in Africa. However, as an
infant institution, PAP has daunting
capacity challenges that require
the support of potential donors.
To this end, the proposed project
is a response to PAP’s request
for the Foundation’s support
towards addressing its capacity needs.
The support by ACBF will help build
the institutional capacity of PAP by
facilitating its organizational development,
strengthening its research and information
resources, improving its human resource
capacities, as well as improving its
visibility and stature.
In his address at the signing ceremony,
the Executive Secretary of the ACBF,
Dr Soumana Sako, said that “ACBF
attaches great importance to the
strengthening of the institution
of parliament in Africa because it
plays a pivotal role in promoting
democracy, good governance, mutual
accountability, effectiveness and
people-centered development on the
continent.”
On her part, PAP President, Hon. Dr
Gertrude Mongella, said, “one
is mindful of the fact that there is
no other Parliament of its kind on
the African continent. This poses unique
challenges for staff to serve in this
Parliament, despite the experience
some may have gained by serving in
legislatures in their own countries ”.
The support will positively impact
PAP by raising the professional performance
and development capacity of MPs and
the overall staff. Specifically, the
project will enable MPs to effectively
and efficiently carry out their responsibilities
of harmonizing continental, regional
and national laws to foster continental
integration; enhancing PAP’s
oversight capacity, and representing
and engaging the peoples of Africa.
Ultimately, PAP is destined to become
a body with full legislative powers
for the African continent.
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