IV. Monitoring Popular Participation
We proclaim the urgent necessity to involve the people in monitoring popular participation in Africa on the basis of agreed indicators, [such as the following:]
The literacy rate, which is an index of the capacity for mass participation in public debate, decision-making and general development processes.
Freedom of association, especially political association, and presence of democratic institutions, such as political parties, trade unions, people's grass-roots organizations and professional associations, and the guarantee of constitutional rights.
Representation of the people and their organizations in national bodies.
The rule of law and social and economic justice, including equitable distribution of income and the creation of full employment opportunities.
Protection of the ecological, human and legal environment.
Press and media freedom to facilitate public debate on major issues.
Number and scope of grass-roots organizations with effective participation in development activities, producers and consumers cooperatives and community projects.
Extent of implementation of the Abuja Declaration on Women (1989) in each country.
Political accountability of leadership at all levels measured by the use of checks and balances.
Decentralization of decision-making processes and institutions.
We are convinced of the imperative necessity to follow-up and monitor the implementation of this Charter and to report periodically thereon on progress achieved as well as problems encountered. We accordingly recommend at the national level a follow-up mechanism on which representatives at high level of Government, trade unions, women's organizations, NGOS, voluntary development organizations, grass-roots and youth and student organizations will be members.
At the regional level, we propose a joint OAU/ECA Regional Monitoring Machinery. ...