Message from the Chairman
[Extracted from WANEP Annual Report, 2001]

We began 2001 with a lot of optimism in West Africa. Ghana, my own country had just ended a very successful election that saw the first alternation of power through a democratic process.

Ghana’s success story was preceded by Senegal where Western observers rated the elections as the most sophisticated in Sub-Saharan Africa. Bloody conflicts in the Mano River basin countries of Liberia, Sierra Leone, and Guinea appeared to be in their concluding phases and Western diplomats predicted sustainable peace in Guinea Bissau after the death of General Asumane Mane who was viewed as a threat to stability in that country.

These developments inspired the strategic plan for 2001 put in place at WANEP’s Annual General Meeting (AGM). This Annual Report reflects the excellent performance of the deeply committed and hard working team of young men and women who man the Secretariat and coordinate WANEP programs in the West African subregion. It also demonstrates the commitment of all of the members who are actively engaged in the practical work of building peace, healing wounds and mending broken communities.

I have followed with amazement and great satisfaction the growth of WANEP over the years. A number of governments in West Africa are beginning to appreciate WANEP’s role as partner in peacebuilding.

They have come to appreciate WANEP’s commitment to promote West African solutions to West African problems. Warring factions like the Revolutionary United Front (RUF) and the Civil Defense Forces of Sierra Leone now proudly and openly boast of their relationship with WANEP.

I was especially delighted when I read the thank you letter from the chairman of the Standing Committee on Peace and Reconciliation in Sierra Leone’s Parliament. He said, “When the history of Sierra Leone is written, there will be a place for WANEP. Its accompanying role will be told…”

The life of WANEP and the excellent achievements recounted in this report could not have happened without the generous contribution of our partners. I extend, on behalf of the Board of Administration, deepest gratitude to all the donors who have and continue to make WANEP possible.