2012 Call for Proposals

The Open Society Initiative for West Africa (OSIWA) seeks proposals in its three strategic areas:

1.      Strong governance institutions, processes and structures that are transparent, accountable, and intolerant of impunity;

2.      Vigorous capacity of civil society organizations and increased citizen participation in decision-making; and

3.      Robust protection of fundamental rights and citizenship groups exposed to discrimination.

The programs will be implemented in one or more of these countries: Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone.

For more information please see call for proposal

“Beyond Elections – Citizen Facilitation of the Democratic Dividend”...... Gyimah-Boadi.(Remarks prepared for OSIWA Board Dinner in Accra, 27 Nov 2011)

A process of political liberalization and democratic transition has been taking place in our sub-region and all over Africa since our regional member - Benin – pioneered it in  the late 1980s. Freedom House  (2011) rates four West African countries (Benin, Cape Verde, Ghana and Mali as  “free” and eleven others as  “partly free.” Only the Ivory Coast is rated as  “not free.”......Read More

OSIWA funds Liberia Ministry of Justice Scholarship Scheme

Following years of armed conflict, many institutions in Liberia were decimated. The Judiciary was more severely hit compared to other institutions. While several international organizations are providing support to revamp the sector, progress remains slow.. The judiciary remains still grappling with the grappling with serious institutional and human resource challenges. Available statistics indicates that until recently, only half of 145 magistrate positions were staffed, and of these few hold law degree; only five of Liberia’s fifteen circuit courts are operational and only around 30% of all inmates in Liberia’s prisons and holding cells are convicted felons. The 70% remaining are being held in pre-trial detention, often for extended periods of time.  At present there are about 500 lawyers in the country...............Read More

Guinea:  A New Chance for Dialogue- OSIWA

The consultative meeting that took place in Conakry on the 15 November 2011 between the Guinean president Alpha Conde and leaders of opposition parties signals a good starting point to address the impasse that had crippled the transition process. The most important outcome of that meeting is the platform for constructive dialogue between the President and the opposition groups which this consultation has enabled. The willingness of the president to initiate a dialogue process to collectively address some of the burning issues regarding the conduct of the long awaited legislative elections............ Read More

Call For Proposal: Development of Strategy and Business Plans for West Africa Democratic Radio

The West Africa Democracy Radio (WADR) was set up six years ago by OSIWA to promote and defend the ideals of democratic, open, and transparent societies in West Africa. Realizing the necessity for an independent media as a vital tool of deepening democracy and as a veritable instrument to open society for a plurality of ideas.........Qualified and interested consultants should submit their proposals by email to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it not later than COB on 1st November 2011.. Download Call for Proposal

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Liberia Elections: Passion Running High on Liberia's Crucial Elections - Joe Hindovei Pemagbi

With barely a few days to Liberia’s first post-war presidential and parliamentary elections scheduled for Tuesday October 11, the stakes are high for the consolidation of peace and the sustainability of the country’s fledgling democracy. Nobel Peace Laureate and incumbent President, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, will contest for the Presidency against fifteen candidates including the Congress for Democratic Change (CDC) led by retired diplomat Winston Tubman and soccer superstar George Opong Weah, former warlord Prince Yormi Johnson of the National Union for Democratic Change (NUDC)........ Read More

OSIWA Press Release:

On Saturday 10 September 2011, the Senegalese daily, ‘Walf Fadjri’ published an article entitled “Suspension of host agreements by the Government: hunt down on NGO’s hostile to the Head of State”
The said article quoted Mr. Alioune Tine President of RADDHO as “denouncing the hard time the State is giving to human rights organizations who are working against the head of State’s planned bid for a third term”....... Read More

Press Release: Freedom of Information Act Signals Consolidation of Nigeria’s Democracy

Long awaited legislation will aid anti-corruption, improve the efficiency and effectiveness of public institutions, support justice and ensure more open society 

(Abuja, June 1, 2011) - The signing by Nigeria’s President Goodluck Jonathan of a Freedom of Information (FoI) law is a victory for democracy, transparency, justice and development, the Right to Know initiative, Media Rights Agenda and Open Society Foundations said today view press release

Statement on the visit of Mr. George Soros, Chairman and Founder of the Open Society Foundations to the Republic of Guinea

OSIWA Board of Directors

This is to inform you that the new OSIWA Board has been constituted. For more information click here