wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] African church body begins two-year restructuring

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African church body begins two-year restructuring
03519
December 2, 2003

African church body begins two-year restructuring

New AACC leaders include Presbyterian from Cameroun

by Richard Nyberg
Ecumenical News International

YAOUNDE, Cameroun - The All Africa Conference of Churches (AACC) has endorsed
a two-year restructuring program under new leadership following years of
uncertain direction compounded by low donor confidence and diminishing
financial backing.

	Delegates at the AACC's general assembly in Yaounde, wrapping up a
week of deliberations here on Nov. 27, agreed to form a task force "to give
flesh to the nature, type and content of the restructuring" of the ecumenical
organization.

	A period of transition is seen as necessary to develop a business
plan, restructure the AACC secretariat, install financial systems and develop
"an appropriate work culture" around the organization's new general
secretary, the Rev. Mvume Dandala, a Methodist from South Africa.

	Dandala told ENI that since the AACC's last assembly in 1997 in Addis
Ababa, there had been "a lack of clarity as to areas of responsibility and
cooperation" between the AACC, which covers the whole of Africa, and the
national councils of churches in various countries.

	"There has been a lot of tripping on each others' toes," said
Dandala, adding that many concerns were raised about the areas in which the
AACC needed to focus its energies.  But inadequate resources have proven most
damaging, he noted.

	"Because of lack of clarity or focus, many a donor partner has not
felt confident that what he puts in the AACC necessarily delivers what he or
she wants to contribute for the betterment of the continent of Africa,"
Dandala said.

	"Slowly people have just been saying, 'Look we want to put our money
where we know it is going to have a very direct effect.' I think that is a
fair thing for people to do," noted Dandala. "It is for the AACC to actually
demonstrate how the work it is doing actually enables the delivery to have
benefited the continent of Africa."

	Asked if he has the charisma and drive delegates expect to make this
transformation work, he said: "Only time will tell. I will do my best."

	According to the AACC's newly-elected president, the Rev. Nyansako
Ni-Nku, moderator of the Presbyterian Church in Cameroon, the AACC is poised
to move from beyond a "crisis of leadership" and mere survival tactics.

	"We identified a new general secretary and now we have a new general
committee [made up of representatives from all regions]," said Ni-Nku, who
takes over as AACC president from Kwesi A. Dickson, a university professor
from Ghana.

	"Up until three or four weeks ago, we were not very sure that this
assembly would be held," noted Ni-Nku. "So the fact that it was even held at
all for me is quite a miracle and is a demonstration of the fact that there
is great potential for change."

	Founded in 1963, the AACC has, according to its latest figures, 169
member churches and associate members in 39 African countries.

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