STAR-Ghana Foundation, an organisation charting the course for developing and implementing a holistic and integrated civil society-strengthening strategy, has launched its fifth anniversary activities to celebrate its stellar performance since transitioning from the STAR-Ghana programme in 2018.
The transition from a 10-year multi-donor-funded STAR-Ghana programme in 2010 to Star-Ghana Foundation has broadened the scope of its operations and aims – which are to strengthen the nexus between parliament and civil society organisations (CSOs) for increased transparency, accountability and responsiveness in governance at local and national levels.
Over the past several years, the foundation has provided evidence, tools and innovative ways of supporting civil society to mobilise resources for its own actions, facilitated alliances, provided integrated capacity-building support to partners, and convened dialogues on critical and sensitive national issues.
This fifth anniversary is being commemorated under the theme ‘Five years of promoting active citizenship and local philanthropy for inclusive development’. With this, the foundation seeks to further deepen networks and the lessons learned over the years.
Executive Director of STAR-Ghana Foundation, Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu, indicated that this milestone achieved by the foundation stems from collective efforts by all CSOs in Ghana as well as genuine participation by communities toward mobilising for inclusive and sustainable development.
“A milestone in the life of STAR-Ghana as an organisation is a milestone for civil society in Ghana, as well as the collective efforts of our subscribers, toward mobilising for inclusive development.
“In the life of a complex organisation – such as the birth and sustenance of STAR-Ghana Foundation – every year is a milestone that needs to be marked and celebrated. So, five years as a supporter, an enabler, convener and coordinator of civil society development action in Ghana is a good point for us to celebrate,” he said.
He emphasised that the rationale, rhythm and zeal that led to setting up the foundation are as true today as they were over a decade ago – when discussions were started on poverty, deepening inclusion and the growing apathy to disengagement from governance and development processes.
Chairperson of the STAR-Ghana Foundation Governing Council, Esther Ofei-Aboagye, on her part mentioned that Ghana can achieve the democratic, inclusive and sustainable society that it desires by ensuring the active participation of citizens – But it will take an improved social and economic outlook, and the requisite public administration and governance architecture, to realise this.
Chairperson of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE), Kathleen Addy, elaborated on the inputs of STAR-Ghana to active citizenship and local philanthropy, saying: “STAR-Ghana’s vision is to nurture home-grown philanthropists alongside the core business of building active citizens, which is the key to unlocking the potential of a robust and effective democratic state. It is commendable that STAR-Ghana was able to transition independent Ghanaian institutions and continue to mobilize citizens and civil society around accountability”.
She mentioned that STAR-Ghana and the NCCE have collaborated on different levels in which partnerships in the form of collaborative engagements for people and credible elections were achieved over the past few years.
Funding partners of the foundation have included Comic Relief and the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
