STAR-Ghana Foundation, a national centre for active citizenship and philanthropy, has marked its fifth anniversary with commitment to liaise with civil society organisations to ensure inclusive access to high-quality, accountable public services for all Ghanaians.
Under the theme ‘5 Years of Promoting Active Citizenship and Local Philanthropy for Inclusive Development’, the anniversary seeks to increase the effectiveness of citizen influence for change that advances democracy, accountability and social inclusion, building on the results, networks and lessons learned from the STAR-Ghana programme.
The foundation transitioned from the 10-year multi-donor funded STAR-Ghana Programme, focused on the strengthening of Parliament and civil society, and strengthening the nexus for increased transparency, accountability and responsiveness in governance at local and national levels.
The foundation works to strengthen civil society and enable citizens to engage with the state to ensure accountable, transparent and responsive governance at both local and national levels.
The foundation provides grants and technical support to civil society organisations (CSOs) to build their capacity and deliver greater impact as well create platforms for ordinary people, particularly the most marginalised in society, to become active citizens for positive change in their lives and communities.
More than 230 CSOs have benefitted since its inception in 2010, with works centred on promoting inclusive governance and elections, anti-corruption, media and the right to information, local philanthropy and active citizenship, gender equality, and social inclusion (GESI).
Speaking at the ceremony in Tamale, Northern Regional Minister Alhaji Shani Alhassan Shaibu said the support of the foundation has helped build the capacity of regional security and the Peace Council in promoting peace and tranquility in the region.
Vice Chancellor of University for Development Studies (UDS) Prof. Seidu Al-Hasaan stressed the need for more educated, skilled, well-informed and morally sound youths for the society for national development.
“We need to re-organise ourselves as a nation and have confidence that we can do it. We need to be accountable. Your strategy of partnership and building on previous initiatives deserves first class due to the ability to imbibe in citizens the spirit of patriotism and volunteerism in building a better nation,” he said in commendation of the foundation.
Board Chair for Northern Development Authority (NDA) Dr. Sulemana Abdulai said the work of the foundation has helped the parliamentarians and other policy-makers to strengthen their capacity to come out with right policies that have helped to address national issues and made government more accountable and transparent to citizens. “We should not see the foundation as a source of funding, but as a partner in promoting responsible citizenship for national development in Ghana,” he said.
Executive Director for Star-Ghana Foundation Alhaji Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu said the rationale for the establishment of the foundation lays in the need for a mechanism to help improve the quality of civil society coordination and its interface with state and non-state actors, and the strengthening of the sustainability and effectiveness of the civil society sector.
“We also aim to support a vibrant civil society that engages constructively with the government and drives forward a transformative development agenda that will leave nobody behind,” he said.
