In line with its goal of promoting economic security and social inclusion for disadvantaged persons through cooperation, Pure Trust Social Investors Foundation (PTSIF) – a Tamale-based non-profit organisation – has hosted a forum to highlight the potential gains from community volunteerism under the Ghana Community Foundations Development Project (GCFDP).
The project seeks to mobilise resources into a common pool for community development, and applies a hands-on approach to projects and the sensitisation of young persons on their need to focus on the society from which they come, while contributing their quota to improve the livelihoods of residents.
Since its inception, the project has seen over 40 communities introduced to the concept, with 15 Community Foundations (CF) emerging for the mobilisation of funds. This has so far yielded a total of GH¢71,750 for all pilot CFs from the various local communities.
Speaking at the forum, the Monarchical Historian of Manhyia Kumasi, Nana Osei-Bonsu Safo-Kantanka, called on the youth to take advantage of this initiative as it serves as a source of employment and will also ensure they are able to contribute to the development of their respective communities.
“More often, we look to government, religious organisations and other stakeholders for aid to develop the communities, which sometimes do not materialise. But the foundation is to enable individuals and the group to solicit support for developmental projects. With the community foundation, which is homegrown, we have a system that is better than depending on the aid,” he said.
Touching on the challenges faced so far, he stated there has been a pushback owing to the widely-held perception that the state should be solely responsible for developmental projects; but he expressed belief the foundation’s work is slowly changing this stance.
Moving forward
He said the leadership will continue to educate the public on the importance of this community foundation model and the need for their continued participation.
The Chief Executive Officer for Songtaba – another Tamale-based humanitarian organisation, Hajia Laminatu Adam, said the voluntary community programme has helped to support the less privileged in some societies across the region, especially in the areas of education, health and agriculture.
The Project Director for PTSIF, Habib Haruna, said through the foundation an endowment fund has been established to support needy students as well as address other community issues.
He assured that accountability will be enforced to ensure value for the resources provided and encourage more of such.
