35 CSOs, including STAR-Ghana Foundation present Local Philanthropy proposals to NDC 2024 Manifesto Committee

35 CSOs, including STAR-Ghana Foundation present Local Philanthropy proposals to NDC 2024 Manifesto Committee

 

Somewhere in Accra, STAR-Ghana Foundation, and representatives from various Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) gathered to meet with the National Democratic Congress (NDC) manifesto committee ahead of the 2024 elections. With anticipation, the CSOs, led by the Foundation prepared to make a case for the prioritization of the Northern Development Authority inclusion of a local philanthropy policy aimed at fostering inclusive and sustainable development. The meeting marked a significant step towards building a more equitable society where local resources could be harnessed to address pressing community needs.

The meeting, which is part of a series to be held with major political parties in the country, was at the instance of STAR-Ghana and its partners to engage the manifesto committees of the parties to make recommendations aimed at boosting philanthropy in Ghana for sustainable development. 

At exactly 11am, the conference room at the Tomreik Hotel, East Legon, was filled with a diverse group of stakeholders, including development experts, community leaders, and political strategists.

STAR-Ghana Foundation, known for its commitment to strengthening civil society and enhancing the effectiveness of active citizenship for development, took the lead.

Presentation of proposals

The policy proposal submitted by the CSOs recommended that the committee incorporate leveraging philanthropy to finance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to expedite the achievement of these targets in Ghana.

Dr. Ben Ocra, Executive Director of the Ghana Philanthropy Forum, and Feruzah Wuniche Salisu, a Project Officer at the STAR-Ghana Foundation, made the appeal on behalf of thirty-five CSOs during a joint presentation.

They emphasized the transformative potential of local philanthropy, highlighting how community-driven initiatives can complement government’s efforts and address critical gaps in service delivery.

As the discussion progressed, members of the NDC manifesto committee and the media demonstrated particular interest in the evidence presented by the CSOs, which showcased successful local philanthropy models and their impact in communities. These examples demonstrated how localized giving and resource mobilization could empower communities, reduce dependency on foreign aid, and foster a sense of ownership and accountability among local populations. The data-driven approach and compelling narratives shared by the CSOs made a strong case for the integration of a local philanthropy policy into the party's development agenda.

Leveraging Philanthropy and Volunteerism for development

Amidu Ibrahim-Tanko, Executive Director of the STAR-Ghana Foundation, emphasized that civil society views engagement as crucial for enhancing democracy in the country.

He noted that such engagement allows citizens to interact directly with those seeking their mandate, which is vital for shaping policy and practice. According to Alhaji Tanko, there has been a shift from merely scrutinizing manifestos to evaluating projects and programs directly, bypassing the intermediary stage of critical analysis and discussion.

Ibrahim-Tanko also highlighted the deep-rooted tradition of local philanthropy in Ghanaian and African cultures, advocating for a narrative shift that places philanthropy at the center of social interventions, particularly in terms of ownership.

He pointed out that philanthropy often focuses on financial contributions, but it also includes volunteerism, where citizens contribute their time and skills for community and national development.

The Executive Director stressed that if volunteerism is properly positioned and supported as part of national development, it could significantly enhance inclusive development in Ghana.

The NDC manifesto committee expressed their appreciation for the insights provided and acknowledged the critical role of local philanthropy in achieving inclusive development.

They committed to considering the proposal seriously as they finalized their manifesto. For STAR-Ghana Foundation and the attending CSOs, the meeting was a milestone, reinforcing their belief that collective action and advocacy could indeed influence policy and drive sustainable change in Ghana.

NDC 2024 Running mate 

In her address to the gathering, running mate for the NDC 2024 flagbearer, Professor Naana Jane Opoku Agyeman, said government cannot leave its responsibilities to CSOs and NGOs.

She implored government to take its responsibilities seriously. "The government should be at the centre of it and have a long-term plan. We need a long term-plan in this country.

"Even the recent population census that we had, the head is a former colleague of mine and I said to him, 'listen, we spent all this money, but you could have created a few more categories to get more data," she said.

Questions from the NDC committee members and other participants revealed a keen interest in understanding the practical implementation of such a policy. They inquired about potential challenges, sustainability, and the role of government in facilitating and regulating local philanthropy. The CSOs responded with detailed strategies, including the creation of supportive legal frameworks, capacity-building initiatives for local NGOs, and public awareness campaigns to encourage philanthropic activities. They stressed the importance of collaboration between the government, private sector, and civil society to create a robust ecosystem for local philanthropy.

 

CoP members under STAR-Ghana Foundation’s Giving for Change Project reflect on and share remarkable success stories of community-led philanthropy.

 

 

The quarterly Community of Practice meeting, hosted by the STAR-Ghana Foundation, was characterized by excitement and anticipation as participants gathered to discuss the progress and successes of the Giving for Change Project. Held in the vibrant city of Accra, the 2-day meeting brought together communities of practice organisations in local philanthropy across the country. As the attendees settled into their seats, the atmosphere was charged with a deep sense of purpose and collaboration. Everyone was eager to share their experiences and learn from one another's journeys in local resource mobilization and community development.

“My Here After has been a good mentor to us as an organisation because their way of raising funds is quite unbelievable. So, I reached out to Alima from My Here After, a member of the CoP, to help us, and she gave us the strategy. Through that, we have been able to raise money to buy some pads for the girls,” Louisa Amoah from Girls Shall Grow, a local non-profit organization shared during a session on successes and learning on implementing fund raising strategies.

The highlight of the meeting was the series of presentations highlighting the remarkable achievements in local resource mobilization.

One standout story came from Kandia, a small community in the Upper West Region, where community members successfully pooled their resources to build a much-needed healthcare center. The GFC partner working in the community proudly explained how they had organized local fundraising events, leveraging traditional festivals and communal labour to raise both funds and awareness. The District Chief Executive of the area later supported the community’s self-help project. This initiative not only provided essential healthcare services but also fostered a renewed sense of unity and pride among the community. The story resonated deeply with attendees, illustrating the power of local action and collective effort.

Kandia is a small farming community in the Sissala West District of the Upper West Region with an estimated population of eight hundred people and it is one of the beneficiary communities under the Giving for Change Project. The community initiated a self-help project which was identified as one of the felt needs of the community.

Knowledge sharing was another key focus of the meeting, and the breakout sessions facilitated rich exchanges of ideas and strategies. Participants discussed various methods of engaging local stakeholders, from youth groups to business owners, in supporting community projects. One particularly inspiring example was shared by a non-profit organization that had developed a series of workshops aimed at training young people in entrepreneurial skills. These workshops not only equipped the youth with valuable tools for their futures but also encouraged them to invest their newfound skills back into their communities. The organization reported significant success in fostering a culture of giving and self-reliance among the younger generation.

Resource persons, including Dr Nansata Yakubu and Oliver Baker Vormawor took turns to enlighten participants on influencing and advocacy, inviting questions for clarify or best practices. The Foundation also invited Rede Comuá, a Brazilian organization dedicated to advancing the cause of community philanthropy at the local, national, and international levels to share Case studies from other countries to help. These exercise on knowledge and experience sharing and collaboration helped the CoP members identify feasible strategies for effective project fund raising.

Results and Learning Manager for STAR-Ghana Foundation, Frank Kwaku Amoateng stressed the importance of community-led project sustainability. This according to him requires local ownership and empowerment of communities to build resilience and independence, ensuring projects thrive without external support.

The meeting underscored the importance of collaboration and networking. Participants took full advantage of the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals and organizations, forging new partnerships and strengthening existing ones. Many noted how these connections had already borne fruit, with joint projects and shared resources enhancing their respective initiatives. The synergy generated by these interactions was profound, with attendees expressing optimism about the potential for even greater impact through continued cooperation and mutual support.

 

As the meeting ended, the room was filled with a sense of accomplishment and forward momentum. The successes shared under the Giving for Change Project demonstrated that local resource mobilization and knowledge sharing are not only feasible but also transformative. STAR-Ghana Foundation's quarterly Community of Practice meeting under the GFC project proved to be a vital platform for celebrating these achievements, fostering innovative ideas, and reinforcing the collective commitment to community-driven development. With renewed energy and inspiration, participants left the meeting ready to implement what they had learned and continue their vital work in building stronger, more resilient communities across Ghana.