On 28th February 2024, the Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC) a pan-African membership civil society network and resource center promoting the right of access to information welcomed a new Governing Council. The election occurred during the 5th General Assembly held virtually on the 28th February 2024.
The Council is comprised of seven elected members. Mrs Beauty Emefa Narteh a seasoned anticorruption, gender and women’s rights activist as Chair. This puts AFIC in a better position to pursue its goal of ensuring inclusive access to information and informed participation.
The new Governing Council members join AFIC from varied and unique backgrounds of countries and experience. They bring with them respective expertise in governance, leadership and management. And experience campaigning for the right to information, transparency, accountability and inclusive development experience.
Meet the Governing Council
The Chairperson: Mrs Beauty Emefa Narteh
Beauty is the executive secretary of Ghana Anti – Corruption Coalition (GACC) since January 2017. In September 2023, she was elected Chairperson following the retirement of Mrs Fatou Jagne Senghore. This was based on her star performance in that role. She also serves as the current Governance Council (GC) Chairperson of Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC).
Prior to this, Beauty chaired AFIC’s Membership and Governance Committee immediately after assumption of AFIC GC membership in 2022.
In Ghana, she serves in various capacities including member of the Steering Committee of the Right to Information (RTI) Coalition; a member of the High-Level Implementation Committee (HiLiC) of Ghana’s National Anti-Corruption Action Plan (NACAP); a Co-Chair of the Ghana CSO Platform on SDGs; a Steering Committee Member of the UN Global Compact (UNGC) Local Network; and a Steering Committee Member and the current Host of the Economic Governance Platform (formerly CSO Platform on the IMF).
She has over seventeen (17) years’ experience in communications, advocacy, resource mobilization, coordination, facilitation, and project management. With practical field experiences from diverse development issues. These are in the areas of good governance, anti-corruption, the socially disadvantaged, sustainable forest management and gender.
In West Africa, She supervised the implementation of an OSIWA funded regional public procurement and audit recommendation projects in Ghana, Sierra Leone and Benin. She also managed a World Bank funded West Africa Contract Monitoring Network (WACMN) in Ghana, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, and Liberia.
Mrs Beauty Emefa Narteh holds a master’s degree in International Affairs. She concertrates in Communications and Development. She also holds a graduate Certificate in Women’s Studies from Ohio University, USA. And a Certificate in Executive Communications and Governance Reform from the World Bank and Annenberg School, USA.
The Vice Chairperson: Dr. Tabani Moyo
Dr. Tabani Moyo has an experience spanning nearly two decades in media development, communications, journalism, marketing, and business administration. Before reelection he has been the Vice Chairperson of AFIC’s Governing Council which he has held since January 2022.
Tabani works as the Regional Director for the Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA). This is a media advocacy and lobby network with a presence in eight (8) African countries. He has served on the boards of various organizations in Zimbabwe, Southern Africa, Africa and globally. He is the current Convenor/ Chairperson of the Board of IFEX- the global freedom of expression organization based in Canada. CIPESA recently recognised him as one of the 10 Change Makers in the Digital Rights space on the African Continent.
Dr Tabani was one of the six-member technical committee members that supported the previous Special Rapporteur on Expression, Commissioner Lawrence Mute, in successfully reviewing the Declaration of Principles of Access to Information and Freedom of Expression to include the Internet as a right in 2018.
Tabani Moyo holds a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA). A Masters Degree in Business Administration (MBA). A Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing, a BA in Media Studies. A BBA in Marketing, and a diploma in journalism and communications. He is a fellow and chartered marketer with the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) (UK).
Treasurer: Thandizo V. Mphwiyo
Mrs Thandizo Safuli Mphwiyo is a distinguished gender and development expert. She has over a decade of experience in governance, human rights and women’s issues. Currently serving as Programs Manager at the Centre for Human Rights and Rehabilitation (CHRR). Here, she leads lobby and advocacy initiatives at national, regional, and global levels. Thandizo has showcased her leadership prowess in overseeing office management and financial and human resource responsibilities at CHRR.
As the incumbent treasurer for AFIC, she played a pivotal role in providing direction, revitalizing the Secretariat post-COVID. She ensured financial stability and resource sustainability.
Thandizo Chairs the Girls On Move Board of Directors, addressing Adolescent Girls and Young Women (AGYW) rights and digital rights. Her commitment to gender equality is evident in her position on the NGO Gender Coordination Network board. Here she oversees gender-focused CSOs in Malawi. AFIC will gain from her extensive experience and dedication for the advancement of access to information and digital rights with a human rights and gender perspective.
Secretary: Mr. Gilbert Sendugwa
Gilbert Sendugwa is the Executive Director of the Africa Freedom of Information Centre (AFIC). In this role he has led campaigns for the advancement of the right to information in Africa and around the world. He has successfully led advocacy campaigns that secured key resolutions from the African Commission on Human and Peoples Rights (ACHPR), UNESCO General Conference and the United Nations General Assembly. As a member of the ACHPR expert working group, he has He contributed immensely to the development of the Model Law on Access to Information in Africa and other key African Union Guidelines on Access to Information.
Gilbert has supported national campaigns for the adoption and implementation of access to information laws in several African countries. As part of this he has designed and implemented capacity strengthening programmes for public officials, civil society and journalists. He has also actively supported national information commissions and regulators. His research on access to information has been referenced severally by researchers, advocates and policy makers.
Gilbert holds a Master’s degree in Management Studies, a Postgraduate diploma in Project Planning and Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Work and Social Administration.
Members
Dr.Nkurunziza Joseph
Dr. Joseph Ryarasa Nkurunziza is a medical doctor, public health practitioner and a social justice activist with over 17 years of experience in the civil society sector. Nkurunziza is a Co-founder and Executive Director of Never Again Rwanda, a peacebuilding and social justice organization that arose following the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. He is the Chairperson of the Rwanda Civil Society Platform, a National Network for Rwanda National civil society organizations with the ultimate purpose of amplifying the voice of civil society and citizens on a wide range of issues in development, governance, human rights and democracy as well as the environment.
Nkurunziza also serves as the co-founder and board director of both the Health Development Initiative Rwanda and the Center for Public Health and Development, organizations committed to improving the health of vulnerable populations across Rwanda and East Africa. He has promoted discussions on the causes and consequences of genocide and conflicts at the national and international levels. In his work, he focuses on health, peacebuilding and social justice that will give young people the guidance, encouragement and knowledge they need to be active citizens. AFIC will gain from his experience in uncurling public access to information as a tool for peacebuilding and conflict resolution.
ALFRED BULAKALI NKURU
Mr. Alfred Nkuru Bulakali is a long standing activist with passion in social justice, human rights, peacebuilding, open and inclusive governance and safe environment and brings to AFIC board a wealth of experience and expertise in peacebuilding, governance, human rights, women and youth empowerment, stabilization, human security, media and research programmes. Over the past two decades Alfred has served in various roles across Africa and Asia as radio producer, trainer, advocater, researcher, manager, director and consultant.
Mr.Bulakali is currently the Regional Director of ARTICLE 19 West Africa where he leads the organisation’s work on the protection and to defence of freedom of expression and access to information in West Africa. He is also a member of the Steering Committee of African Media Convention and member of the Advisory committee of the Africa digital platform.
Alfred holds a Masters degree in Public Law and has previously served as a teaching and research Assistant at the Faculty of Law.. Alfred likes taking care of children, assisting in cooking, serving and washing dishes- values he teaches many peers in Africa!.
Thomas Zaza Lorato
Mr. Thomas Zaza Lorato is a seasoned business executive with over two decades of experience. He has consistently driven successful business operations and spearheaded strategic initiatives. Currently serves as Chairperson of the Board of the Public Information Noble, an Ethiopian civil society organisation promoting the right to information in the country.
His career journey includes pivotal roles such as Plant Manager at Koch Industries Houston Facility, where he orchestrated all aspects of plant operations, from production to logistics, resulting in substantial efficiency gains and cost savings. Thomas is driven by a passion for excellence and a dedication to achieve organizational growth.
He holds a degree in Business Management from Hesston College and robust skill sets encompassing operations management, management and business development.
Malcolm W.Joseph
Mr Malcolm W. Joseph is a seasoned right to information and freedom of expression activist. In 2010, he successfully led the campaign for the adoption of freedom of information legislation, making Liberia the first country to do so in West Africa. He is a pillar of open government in the country and has actively championed reforms in the country. Joseph was part of the AFIC-led African Platform on Access to Information team that successfully campaigned for the proclamation of September 28th as the International dDay for Universal Access to Information by the United Nations General Assembly.
Malcolm is the executive director of the Center for Media Studies and Peace Building, a leading Media development, Freedom of Expression and Access to Information NGO in Liberia.
Author
He has authored and co-authored several research/study works including: Research on the Effect of COVID-19 on the Media Environment of Liberia, Research on Lessons on Peacekeeping drawdowns in Liberia. Research on Journalists Safety based on UNESCO Indicators, research on Role of Small Arms in the Liberian Crisis”, research on Religious Broadcasting in Liberia, research evaluating the impact of the Public Awareness Campaign on Small Arms and Light Weapons in Liberia, research on the impact of Charles Taylor trial on Liberians, research on Access to Information in Liberia, several researches on the state of freedom of Expression in Liberia, among others.
He has held important portfolios including Vice President, Press Union of Liberia, Vice President, West African Journalists Association, Regional Executive Committee Member, West African Civil Society Forum, member Panel of Experts, 2003 IFJ Journalist of Tolerance Award for West and Central Africa. He has been a member of AFIc Governing Council since January 2022.
Mr Malcolm Joseph holds a masters degree in Public Sector Management, an master of Arts degree in international relations, and a bachelor’s degree in mass communication. He holds a Certificate in Human Rights, Peace and Security from Indevelop Institute at Uppsala University in Sweden. In 2010, Malcolm received the Pan African Platform on Access to information Prestigious award for Promoting Access to information in Africa. He has also been actively engaged with the workings and activities of IFEX since 2006.
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