Difference between revisions of "Ghana NGO Sector"
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Many of the charitable groups that fall within this type are affiliated with two major religions: Christianity and Islam. This follows from the country’s history of Christian missionary societies and later, other church-related organizations, which had an impact on education and skills development. Islamic organizations, which are found mostly in the northern part of the country, provide similar, but fewer, services to that of the Christian groups. (This is mainly because these Islamic groups tend to be politicized and fragmented) (Atingui 6). Many of the church-related groups are classified as charitable organizations, providing special assistance and immediate emergency relief after natural disasters, or to refugees, orphans, the elderly and disabled. | Many of the charitable groups that fall within this type are affiliated with two major religions: Christianity and Islam. This follows from the country’s history of Christian missionary societies and later, other church-related organizations, which had an impact on education and skills development. Islamic organizations, which are found mostly in the northern part of the country, provide similar, but fewer, services to that of the Christian groups. (This is mainly because these Islamic groups tend to be politicized and fragmented) (Atingui 6). Many of the church-related groups are classified as charitable organizations, providing special assistance and immediate emergency relief after natural disasters, or to refugees, orphans, the elderly and disabled. | ||
| − | ==Private Voluntary and Non-governmental Organizations== | + | ===Private Voluntary and Non-governmental Organizations=== |
| − | These two terms have been used interchangeably in Ghana since the early 1980s. They include local and nonprofit organizations who provide development assistance, emergency relief, and social and health services. (Anang 1994). | + | These two terms have been used interchangeably in Ghana since the early 1980s. They include local and nonprofit organizations who provide development assistance, emergency relief, and social and health services. (Anang 1994). The term voluntary organization (VOLU) originated in the 1970s and evolved throughout the 1980s as a result of the work of foreign relief agencies and student volunteers working in community development projects. Their great number and variety, however, makes classification difficult. (Atingdui 1995: 7). |
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In 1981, the Christian Council of Ghana, a coalition of fourteen Protestant churches, formed the umbrella organization Ghana Association of Private Voluntary Organizations in Development (GAPVOD). Today, GAPVOD is the largest umbrella organization in Ghana. It has over 400 members including national and international NGOs, local agencies, and community-based organizations across Ghana. GAPVOD has played an active and prominent role in the efforts of the nonprofit sector and government to build a national policy for NGOs. Regional networks such as the Brong Ahafo NGOs (BANGO) also act as organizing consortium for the sector. | In 1981, the Christian Council of Ghana, a coalition of fourteen Protestant churches, formed the umbrella organization Ghana Association of Private Voluntary Organizations in Development (GAPVOD). Today, GAPVOD is the largest umbrella organization in Ghana. It has over 400 members including national and international NGOs, local agencies, and community-based organizations across Ghana. GAPVOD has played an active and prominent role in the efforts of the nonprofit sector and government to build a national policy for NGOs. Regional networks such as the Brong Ahafo NGOs (BANGO) also act as organizing consortium for the sector. | ||
Revision as of 08:56, 13 August 2008
As early as Ghana's pre-colonial era, civil society has shaped, and been shaped by, the country’s political developments. After independence in 1957, the government created economic and social reconstruction development plans. This included putting local development committees and the emerging nonprofit sector in charge of providing education, health and social services to the country’s citizens. During the period of political and economic instability that followed independence, citizens were dependent on humanitarian aid and emergency services provided by churches and charities (Atingdui 1995:11-12).
By the early 1980s, the country’s subsequent reorganization of the public and private sectors directly affected religious and church-related organizations, requiring them to reapply for registration with the government (Atingdui 1995:12). Despite the government’s move to exert more control over NGOs, local groups continued to grow and expand unabated. A sharp increase in international development assistance to Ghana occurred between 1989 and 1990, with a significant amount of funds going to the nonprofit sector (World Bank, World Tables). The 1990s saw an exponential growth in the non-profit sector and non-governmental organizations in Ghana, in both the number of groups and their range of activities. By the mid 1990s, the number of registered nonprofit organizations grew to over 700 (Atingdui 1995:15).
Today, the sector encompasses thousands of organizations of all sizes and types. Nonprofit organizations in Ghana are defined as “civil society organizations that are formed independently of the State but register voluntarily under specified laws in order to gain official recognition to pursue purposes that are not self-serving but oriented towards public benefit.” (NGC National Draft Policy). As Ghana moves into the 21st century, civil society in the country is a sector that is still growing and defining itself.
