The 2013 edition of the ECOWAS Peace Pageant for the first time in five years will crown two Peace Ambassadors simultaneously on one stage, come Friday, 29th November, at the National Theatre, Accra.
This unprecedented move was made known in a joint news conference which was addressed by H.E. Dr. Erieka Bennett: Founder and Head of the (AU) Diaspora African Forum Mission and Mr. Christian Donkor, the Group Manager for 702 Productions Limited.
The organizers stated that this year's format of crowning two Peace Ambassadors is still consistent with the general theme of taking the event closer to the doorstep of Africans, and spreading the peace message across board.
“In a bid to advance the message of peace and to promote the need for all Africans to be involved in the development of the continent, 702 Productions Ltd; organizers of the Pageant have entered into a collaboration with the African Union Diaspora African Forum (AUDAF) to crown the 1st AUDAF Peace Ambassador who will embark on a journey of spreading the message of promoting peace in Africa and among Africans in the Diaspora” said Dr. Bennett.
“As with the previous years of the competition, the 2013 ECOWAS Peace Pageant will see the participation of 2 delegates from each of the 15 ECOWAS Member States, adding up to 30 Delegates representing ECOWAS. This number will be joined by 10 Diaspora delegates chosen from a special audition of Diasporan’s of African Descent who are currently living, studying or working in Ghana” she concluded
According to the organizers, the AUDAF Peace Ambassador 2013 will work closely with 702 Productions and the (AU) Diaspora African Forum office to push the recommendations of the African Union ad hoc Ministerial Committee that, the AU should invite and encourage the full participation of Africans in the Diaspora in the building of the African Union.
The AUDAF Ambassador will be a strong voice for the youth at the level of the African Union and will embark on a number of speaking engagements abroad to sensitize and encourage more Africans in the Diaspora to support the growth and development of Africa.
All things being equal, the AUDAF auditions will be on this Saturday, 26th October02013 at the historic W.E.B. Dubois Centre from 10:00am - 5:00pm.
To qualify for the AUDAF Peace Ambassador eligibility, participants must be females of African descent between the ages of 18 and 24 years, who has lived, studied, or worked outside Ghana prior to currently living, studying or working in Ghana.
The ceremony saw in attendance, some officials of 702 Productions, A Member of Parliament from Sierra Leone, AUDAF Officials and the ECOWAS Ghana Peace Ambassador 2013, Miss Esinam Afi Seade.