A cohort of Master of Arts students at the Centre for Social Policy Studies (CSPS) of the University of Ghana, Legon have paid a study visit to STAR-Ghana Foundation. The visit was aimed at helping the students access practical experiences of organizations involved in social policy advocacy.
The Executive Director, Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu received the students, who were led by their Coordinator, Dr Kojo Opoku, a Research Fellow. STAR-Ghana Foundation has collaborated with CSPS on research, particularly on social protection mechanisms in social services delivery.
The coordinator, Dr Kojo Opoku said “I know that STAR-Ghana is very interested in social issues like inequalities, gender equality and social inclusion, which are of interest to our of Social Policy Studies programs, and so if you’re looking for a Civil Society Organization to learn from, then STAR-Ghana is the institution of choice for our students”.
The Programmes Manager for STAR-Ghana Foundation, Eunice Racheal Agbenyadzi took the group through a detailed presentation of the Foundation’s work in promoting gender and social inclusion, and social policy advocacy.
The students took turns to make further enquiries on how STAR-Ghana Foundation influences social policy through its work, the kind of impacts achieved, and what informs the choice of partnerships and the sustainability plan.
“As an MA student, I’ve learnt a lot about the theoretical aspect to Social Policy, but today I have come to understand how STAR-Ghana puts this into practice and its influence in national policies and issues bothering on local communities” a student intimated.
“It’s been good, I have heard of STAR-Ghana, but I did not really know what they do, but my visit today has taught me what STAR-Ghana does at community to national level, how they are impacting the lives of people and policy”, another said.
The coordinator, Dr Kojo Opoku on his part, added in excitement “I can say that the experience has been wonderful, the motive was for my students, but coming here, I have greatly benefited from the insights from the presentation and discussion”