CUTS Calls for State Funding of Viable CSOs
Leading research and public policy think tank, CUTS International Accra, is calling on the government to consider urgent public funding support for civil society organizations in Ghana, warning that the country risks weakening its governance and policy systems if the current funding crisis is not addressed.
This was contained in a statement issued by Mr. Appiah Kusi Adomako, Esq., the Director of the West Africa Regional Centre of CUTS International Accra.
“For more than six decades, civil society organizations in Ghana have been largely sustained by foreign donors,” he stated. “The result is a funding squeeze that now threatens the very survival of independent CSOs and, by extension, the quality of our public discourse and policy-making process.”
He explained that as Ghana’s democratic institutions have matured, many traditional donors have shifted their focus to countries facing instability and governance challenges. As a result, funding for advocacy and governance work in Ghana has steadily declined, leaving many organisations struggling to operate.
Mr. Adomako stressed that civil society remains central to Ghana’s socio-economic development. He described CSOs as “the fifth estate of our republic,” noting that their work has shaped major reforms across the country. “Through rigorous research, evidence-based advocacy, and sustained public engagement, CSOs have helped shape landmark legislation,” he said, referencing key laws such as the Right to Information Act, the Public Financial Management Act, Public Holidays and Commemorative Days (Amendment) Act 2025 and Road Traffic Amendment Act 2025.
He noted that without a strong and independent civil society, critical voices on education, healthcare, consumer and environmental protection, and public finance would weaken. This would reduce accountability and limit the quality of policy decisions.
The funding decline, he warned, creates broader risks beyond institutional survival. “When independent CSOs cannot access reliable domestic funding, some cease to exist, others chase narrow political or foreign agendas, and a vacuum emerges that can be filled by lobby groups or foreign intelligence interests,” he said. “He who pays the piper calls the tune.”
Mr. Adomako emphasised that Ghana must take ownership of its research and advocacy agenda. He argued that continued dependence on external funding allows foreign priorities to shape domestic issues, often sidelining areas critical to Ghanaian livelihoods such as consumer protection, healthcare access, and education reform.
He proposed a clear and practical pathway for reform. Government, he said, can fund civil society without undermining its independence by using established, transparent mechanisms. “The STAR Ghana Foundation provides a ready-made, proven model,” he explained. “Selection must be transparent, competitive, and based on pre-determined criteria, with full compliance with public financial management and procurement laws.”
He recommended that government allocate at least GHC 10 million annually through such an independent mechanism to support high-quality research and advocacy in priority sectors, including education, healthcare, road safety, governance, climate resilience, and consumer protection. He added that strict safeguards, including public disclosure of grants and annual audits by the Auditor-General, would ensure accountability and protect against political interference.
Mr. Adomako also called on the private sector to play a more active role in supporting civil society. He observed that corporate Ghana has shown limited interest in funding CSO work. “We should revise our tax laws to introduce incentives that allow companies and individuals to deduct donations to accredited CSOs from taxable income,” he said, pointing to international examples where such policies have strengthened civic engagement.
He warned that failure to act will have long-term consequences for governance and development. “If we continue to outsource the funding of our research and advocacy agenda to external actors, matters central to Ghanaian livelihoods will never remain donor priorities,” he stressed.
As the President prepares to engage civil society leaders at the Jubilee House, Mr. Adomako urged decisive commitment. “We have come too far in building our democratic institutions to allow civil society organizations to wither for lack of local ownership,” he said. “A clear commitment to sustainable domestic funding would constitute genuine strategic nation-building.”
CUTS is a leading research and public policy organisation dedicated to consumer protection, fostering efficient and competitive markets, road safety, international trade, economic policy, education, and healthcare.
