Civil society groups urge Government to establish dedicated CSO Research Fund
The CSO Alliance, an influential coalition of civil society organizations, has urged Ghana’s next government to establish a dedicated funding mechanism for research and advocacy to bolster the role of CSOs in nation-building.
This recommendation by the CSO Alliance is part of a comprehensive set of 15 policy reforms presented to political parties ahead of the 2024 general elections.
During a press briefing on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, Dr. Steve Manteaw, the technical advisor to the UK-Ghana Gold Programme which is a key member of the CSO Alliance, articulated the need for a reliable funding source to support the critical work of civil society organizations.
“The next government should commit to providing a funding mechanism for research and advocacy for civil society organizations to enhance their role in nation-building,” Dr. Manteaw asserted.
The CSO Alliance’s call for financial support follows a three-day manifesto dialogue held at the Royal Senchi Resort Hotel.
Representatives from the New Patriotic Party (NPP), the National Democratic Congress (NDC), the Movement for Change, the Convention People’s Party (CPP), the Liberal Party of Ghana, and the Progressive People’s Party (PPP) were in attendance to the manifesto dialogue organized by the CSO Alliance.
The discussions aimed to integrate civil society perspectives in the areas of energy transition, petroleum and gas sectors, forestry, environment, climate change, mining, and anti-corruption into the manifestos of these political parties.
Presently, Ghanaian civil society organizations rely heavily on funding from foreign donors or partners, which is often earmarked for specific projects and falls short of covering broader advocacy and research efforts.
The CSO Alliance argues that this dependency restricts their ability to conduct in-depth analyses and sustained advocacy required to inform and shape effective public policy.
The proposed funding mechanism is envisioned to empower civil society organizations to undertake more rigorous and far-reaching research and advocacy, ultimately contributing to more transparent, accountable, and sustainable governance in Ghana’s extractive and environmental sectors.
This move, the CSO Alliance believes, will significantly enhance the impact of civil society in driving reforms and fostering inclusive development across the country.
