Tamale: The third edition of the Northern Ghana Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) Forum has been held, bringing together stakeholders to strategise on mutual partnerships for sustainable development. The forum, held under the theme 'Enhancing Coordination and Mutual Accountability in Northern Ghana,' sought to strengthen coordination amongst CSOs to ensure effective development interventions in the regions.
According to Ghana News Agency, the forum was led by STAR Ghana Foundation and attracted representatives from prominent CSOs, including Ghana Developing Communities Association (GDCA), Oxfam in Ghana, ActionAid Ghana, Norsaac, Sung Foundation, and School for Life, among others. Since its inception in 2021, the Northern Ghana CSOs Forum has provided a unique platform for CSOs to share experiences, discuss challenges, and chart a path toward inclusivity and strategic partnerships that promote sustainable development.
This year's edition focused on enhancing effective coordination and partnerships, especially given dwindling funding support for CSOs. Alhaji Osman Abdel-Rahman, Executive Director of GDCA and Chairman of the Planning Committee of the Forum, speaking during the forum in Tamale, said it aimed to analyse the implications of the shrinking funding landscape in Northern Ghana and identify innovative strategies for securing alternative funding sources.
He mentioned the forum would also foster stronger engagements between CSOs and state institutions such as the Northern Development Authority and the Northern Regional Coordinating Council, particularly around the Northern Ghana Development Summit as a sustainable framework for mutual accountability and advocacy. Additionally, the forum sought to gather collective CSO perspectives to influence the ongoing constitutional review process. He emphasised the hope that by the end of the forum, delegates for the Governing Body of the Ghana Civil Society Forum would be elected to monitor the implementation of government policies and programmes.
Mr Frederick Nuuri-Teg, Northern Ghana Projects Manager at STAR Ghana Foundation, noted that although many CSOs operate in Northern Ghana, their interventions often lack coordination, leading to mismatches in development outcomes. He stated that the forum was meant to address such gaps and help maximise the impact of CSOs in local communities.
Mr Mohammed-Anwar Sadat Adam, Country Director of Oxfam in Ghana, highlighted the importance of partnership, pointing out that numerous well-meaning interventions have been implemented in the north, but often operate in silos. He remarked that many projects suffer from weak monitoring and evaluation systems, resulting in fragmented and duplicated efforts within communities. He stressed the need for systemic change, resilience, and empowerment of communities rather than just service delivery.
Alhaji Mohammed Awal Alhassan, Executive Director of Norsaac, discussed innovative funding strategies, emphasising the need for building partnerships and collaboration to create greater impact in communities. Hajia Fati Seidu Tambro, Executive Director of Sung Foundation, commended STAR Ghana Foundation for convening the forum and expressed optimism that its outcome would lead to effective implementation of CSOs' interventions in Northern Ghana.
