STAR-Ghana Foundation

🎥 We’re pleased to share a video spotlighting STAR-Ghana Foundation’s commitment to #Inclusive Election and #Accountable #Governance. This initiative aims to strengthen electoral integrity and #deepen #democratic accountability by empowering citizens—especially women, youth, and #marginalized groups—to actively participate in decision-making and demand #responsive #governance. 📽️ Watch how civil society and communities are taking action for inclusive, #peaceful, and #transparent elections. #AccountableGovernance #InclusiveElections #Democracy #CivicEngagement Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office @africaeducationwatch.org

Exactly one week ago, STAR-Ghana Foundation reaffirmed its role as a convener of choice and champion of locally led development by leading Ghana’s largest gathering of civil society actors, the 2025 #GhanaCivilSocietyForum. Bringing together over 700 participants from across civil society, government, policy-making institutions, the diplomatic community, and academia, the two-day Forum embodied our vision of a well-informed and active citizenry capable of influencing inclusive and sustainable development at all levels of governance. In his opening and closing remarks, our Executive Director, Alhaji Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu, echoed a central tenet of our mission: to shine a bold light on the civic space, not only by identifying external challenges but also by confronting internal issues that hinder CSOs from fulfilling their transformative potential. His call was clear: if the civic sector is to remain credible, relevant, and impactful, it must hold itself accountable and work collaboratively to become an equal and constructive partner in Ghana’s development journey. This call was reinforced by the President's Advisor on SDGs and NDPC Chair, as well as the Vice President of the Republic, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang who graced the Forum as Guest of Honour. H.E the vice President reiterated the need for deeper partnerships between government and civil society, especially in an era of declining external aid and increased demand for ownership and homegrown solutions. As part of our commitment to learning and evidence-based action, STAR-Ghana Foundation’s Results and Learning Unit presented key findings from a recent survey on the implications of USAID cuts on Ghanaian CSOs. These insights helped frame collective responses to financing challenges which served as a basis for a training session on local fund raising and also played an instrumental role in informing the Forum's final recommendations. True to our core values of inclusivity, transparency, and accountability, our team members also led critical discussions on sustaining the Forum itself, and contributed to breakout sessions on the enabling environment for civil society, including policy advocacy on the NPO Bill and civic space protection. We are deeply grateful to our supporting partners — including Oxfam in Ghana, Ghana Center For Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), Norsaac, Ghana Developing Communities Association - GDCA, @GMEF, West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC), TIGhana. Also to our development partners whose solidarity made this milestone gathering possible. Here is a visual walk-through of two days of reflection, renewal, and recommitment to citizen agency and civic power; powered by collaboration, conviction, and community. #gcsf2025 #LocallyLed #citizenagency #STARGhanaFoundation

🌍 Shifting the Funding Narrative in Africa STAR-Ghana Foundation is participating in the ongoing The Africa Philanthropy Network (Formerly The African Grantmakers Network)/ training on #Alternative Sources of Funding and #Fundraising Strategies in Arusha, #Tanzania. Representing the Foundation are: 🔹 Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu, Executive Director 🔹 Emmanuel Dedoo, Senior Grants & Compliance Officer The training kicked off with timely discussions on the #urgent need for African civil society to transition from #aid dependency to #community-led resource #mobilization, especially amidst: Shrinking #civic space Shifting #donor priorities Growing #competition among CSOs 🔑 Key opportunities explored: ✔️ Harnessing diaspora remittances ✔️ Leveraging digital technologies for transparency ✔️ Building private-sector partnerships through policy advocacy 🤝 Emphasis was placed on collaboration over competition, strengthening CSO coalitions, embedding community ownership, and embracing tech for greater impact. The future of philanthropy lies in #local agency—not external aid. #ShiftThePower #CSOSustainability #LocalPhilanthropy #APNTraining #CivilSociety #FundingStrategies #PhilanthropyInAfrica #Arusha2025

"STAR-Ghana Foundation has been a pillar of support for small organisations like ours. Through the #volunteerism project they implemented last year, we received the tools, training, and encouragement needed to strengthen our work in the community. It has made a real difference.” — Iman Mohammed, Federation of Muslim Women Association of Ghana, Ashanti Region chapter. At #gcsf2025, participants shared heartfelt testimonies like this—proof of the power of local partnerships, citizen agency, and inclusive development. As a Foundation, we remain committed to #Empowering local actors to lead change in their communities. #citizenengagement #volunteerism #PartnershipsThatWork #ghanacivilsociety #starimpact #StrongerTogether

"STAR-Ghana Foundation has been a pillar of support for small organisations like ours. Through the #volunteerism project they implemented last year, we received the tools, training, and encouragement needed to strengthen our work in the community. It has made a real difference.” — Iman Mohammed, Federation of Muslim Women Association of Ghana, Ashanti Region chapter. At #gcsf2025, participants shared heartfelt testimonies like this—proof of the power of local partnerships, citizen agency, and inclusive development. As a Foundation, we remain committed to #Empowering local actors to lead change in their communities. #citizenengagement #volunteerism #PartnershipsThatWork #ghanacivilsociety #starimpact #StrongerTogether

#GCSF2025 – #Day1 Highlights Day 1 of the Ghana Civil Society Forum was a strong convergence of voices re-imagining Ghana’s development future. From bold reflections on shrinking donor support to energizing calls for locally led, citizen-driven development, participants rallied around a common vision: "We must fund and lead our own progress". Key themes included: -Local resource mobilization and diversification as a path to independence - Civic action and volunteerism as pillars of sustainable development -Rebuilding trust and accountability in the civic space -Youth and traditional leaders shaping local solutions among others #Day2 of the Ghana Civil Society Forum is underway! We're expecting more thought-provoking conversations, strategic working group sessions, and commitments to action await. Let’s keep the momentum going!

Day 1 Her Excellency the Vice President of Ghana, Prof. Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang's message at #GCSF2025 perfectly echoes STAR-Ghana Foundation's mission of promoting #ActiveCitizenship & championing volunteerism as critical tools of inclusive & sustainable development. When citizens lead, dev't becomes truly transformative. #ActiveCitizenship #GCSF25

“We’re facing the same tough questions many civil society organisations are grappling with — how do we raise funds? How do we sustain interest and relevance?” – Executive Director,STAR-Ghana Foundation. As we work to build a #dynamic, #responsive, and #inclusive Forum, sustainability, accountability, and strengthening the sector remain central. It's not just about funding (though that’s key), but also about how we organise, engage, and adapt as a civil society. Ahead of tomorrow’s #GCSF2025, the four Working Groups are meeting to develop practical #guidelines and #recommendations to inform the Forum’s breakout sessions. Let’s shape the future together. #CSOStrength #CivicAction #GCSF2025 #EnablingEnvironment #CivilSociety #Leadership #STAR-GhanaFoundation

What are your expectations for this year’s Ghana Civil Society Forum? The count is down to just 2 days to #GCSF2025, the biggest gathering of Civil Society and development actors in Ghana. We’re excited to welcome all registered participants for deep conversations on reimagining development financing and civic action in Ghana. Couldn't register? No worries, you can still join the conversation virtually. Stay tuned for livestream links and updates. #CivilSocietyVoices #DevelopmentFinancing #CivicAction Norsaac ActionAid Ghana Oxfam in Ghana Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) Ghana Developing Communities Association - GDCA Ghana Center For Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana) TIGhana

⏳ Day #5 Countdown to the Ghana Civil Society Forum 2025! We’re just days away from bringing together #changemakers, #advocates, thought leaders, and #development partners to reimagine #development financing and #civic #action in Ghana! 📅 If you’ve registered — prepare for an inspiring, impactful experience. 💻 Haven’t registered? No worries — you can still be part of the conversation #virtually! Stay tuned for livestream links and real-time updates. Let’s shape the future of development, accountability, and civic engagement together. #GCSF2025 #CivicAction #DevelopmentFinancing #CivilSociety #Ghana Oxfam | Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC) | West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI)| Ghana Developing Communities Association - GDCA | Ghana Center For Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana)| TIGhana | Norsaac