Tamale: Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in the Northern Zone have convened to discuss the draft Non-profit Organisations (NPO) Bill, aiming to provide valuable input and shape the future of the non-profit sector in the country.
According to Ghana News Agency, the consultation forum was supported by STAR-Ghana Foundation and took place in Tamale. The main objective was to engage with CSOs on the draft NPO Bill and gather feedback to craft a comprehensive CSOs position paper on the proposed legislation.
During the consultation, CSOs in the Northern Zone proposed several inputs for the Bill. Madam Teiko Sabah, a Consultant at STAR-Ghana Foundation, voiced the need for increased NPO representation within the Board’s composition and emphasized that the appointment of Board Members should be co-led by NPOs.
Madam Sabah highlighted the necessity for revising the double registration requirements and advocated for a more decentralised, digitalised, and flexible registration process to facilitate smoother registration for CSOs. She also suggested that the validity of licenses should extend beyond one year and recommended establishing an independent adjudication tribunal separate from the Commission.
Additionally, she called for the Bill to include provisions for tax incentives and other benefits for NGOs. The draft NPO Bill aims to create a supportive environment for NPOs to excel in their development missions, considering their crucial role in the country’s progress.