The Africa Centre is facing the threat of closure due to lack of funding, it has emerged.
At a recent public event in Dublin to highlight its current difficulties, the organisation appealed to its stakeholders for help to secure an office and meeting space for the association.
“In the last two years, the Africa Centre experienced a decline in funding and as a result, its ability to cater for the needs of the African community has been affected," said co-ordinator Mbemba Jabbi.
"We have nevertheless been able to mobilise the African community and have made policy submissions, organised lectures, debates, and an African Forum.
“We have also encouraged Africans to engage with the Irish political system, and are in the process of developing an Intercultural Youth Society.
However, Jabbi added that despite these achievements, the Africa Centre “is now faced with the lack of an office space for the African community to meet. This will have an adverse impact on the community in Ireland.
“We are asking stakeholders who can to help us secure an office and meeting space for the Africa Centre.”
Established in October 2001, the Africa Centre has been promoting and encouraging the development of activities and initiatives that explain African concerns to the wider society in Ireland.
Census figures from 2011 show there are over 58,000 Africans living throughout Ireland.
Also speaking at the gathering, Africa Centre chair Dr Sahr Yambasu said: “The African communities in Ireland represent the diversity of a vast continent with rich cultures. The growing presence of these communities in Ireland has occasioned the need to provide a voice for them.
“This is what Africa Centre’s community participation project is all about.”
