UNIVERSITY OF CAPE COAST

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION STUDIES

FACULTY OF EDUCATIONAL FOUNDATIONS

DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION AND PSYCHOLOGY

BPS 414: PARTICIPATORY COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

LECTURER: DR. DEREK OPPONG

INDEX NUMBER: EF/BPS/20/0037

QUESTION: Do you think NGOs in Ghana have been able to achieve their primary purposes?

Identify any two NGOs you know in Ghana, the one you think has been successful and one that

has not been successful and explore what you think has been accounted for the success and the

failures.
EVALUATION OF NGO’S SUCCESS AND FAILURE IN GHANA: FACTORS AND

SOLUTIONS

A non-governmental organization is a group that works independently of any government. The

term was coined by the United Nations (UN) in 1945 to distinguish between government and

private organisations. NGOs are sometimes created by private individuals with a specific mission

or service in mind, and they use their platform to advocate for non-profit industry. According to

World Bank, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) are “private organisations that pursue

activities to relieve suffering, promote the interests of the poor, protect the environment, provide

basic social services, or undertake community development.” NGOs come in variety of

structures: there are large and small groups, some work locally or globally, some focus only on

one topic, while others advocate for a number of issues.

Over the past decade, the number of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and their influence

in various sectors has grown tremendously. These organisations today not only work at the

grassroots level, but also as advisers to governments and international organisations.

Environmental, social, advocacy, and human rights work are among the many activities of non-

governmental organisations. They can work to promote social or political change on a large scale

or at local level. In Ghana, NGOs play an important role in societal development, community

improvement, and public participation. Some of the NGOs in Ghana are; African Women's

Development Fund (AWDF), Ghana Red Cross Society, Climate Change Adaptation Foundation

(CCAF), Help Ghana Foundation, World Vision Ghana, Plan International Ghana African Centre

for Peace Building (AFCOPB), CARE international, Centre for Popular Education and Human

Rights, Ghana, Campaign for Learning Disabilities, Centre for Disease Control and Prevention in

Africa (CDC AFRICA), Develop Youth Ghana, Firm Health Ghana Foundation, Ghana Rural
Action Support Programme (GRASP), etc. Each of these NGOs have their mission and goals for

which they seek to achieve to bring about positive changes but not all of these NGOs have been

successful in achieving their goals or attaining success to their maximum satisfaction or

performance; as a result of many challenges, they face in their operations. While others are

struggling to attain success, some are at the peak of success. Among the successful ones I have

noticed in Ghana is, Help Ghana Foundation while Climate Change Adaptation Foundation is

striving for success.

The Help Ghana Foundation has been making a difference since 1983. Their commitment lies in

supporting projects related to education and healthcare. They also focus on initiatives that

empower groups to become self-sufficient, particularly through income-generating projects that

primarily involve women’s groups. In Ghana, women play a crucial role in caring for children,

making these efforts even more significant.

Their mission and vision is to improve the quality of lives for families by providing sustainable

interventions in key areas. These areas include education, agriculture and food security,

healthcare, green energy, and clean water and hygiene. Their vision centers around reaching out

to as many people as possible, guided by a foundation of love and compassion. They aspire to

build essential facilities such as hospitals, schools, and shelter homes to serve those in need.

Their goal is to improve the living conditions of vulnerable population groups. They have

worked on many projects which include a wood workshop for the Abosamso Technical institute

in the Ashanti region of Ghana where they provided students with well-equipped space to hone

their carpentry skills and fostered a conducive learning environment for technical education. This

organization has been very successful over the years and the factors that account for their success

is discussed in the next paragraph.

Help Ghana Foundation is a beacon of hope and progress in Ghana, committed to improving

communities and empowering individuals. While its aim is philanthropy and development, the

underlying drivers of its success are trust and support. Their commitment to transparency and

integrity ensures that donors and beneficiaries have confidence in their work. By holding itself

accountable for the outcomes of its projects, the organisation strengthens trust among its

stakeholders. Whether resolving issues or celebrating successes, the foundation's readiness to

take ownership boosts its credibility and dependability. Communities and individuals depend on

the foundation to keep its promises, knowing that their needs will be met with integrity and

dedication. This continuous track record fosters trust not only among recipients, but also among

partners, funders, and the general public. Help Ghana Foundation has thrived due to the robust

support it receives from various stakeholders. Individual and institutional donors contribute

significantly to the foundation's operations. Trust is the foundation of these relationships, since

contributors must be confident that their funds will be used wisely to have a meaningful impact.

Furthermore, the foundation relies on the help of volunteers, local governments, and other

organisations to expand its reach and effectiveness. In so doing, the foundation has won the trust

and support of stakeholders by prioritising openness, accountability, and community

participation.

Secondly, excellence and innovation can be attributed to the success of Help Ghana Foundation.

The Foundation holds itself to the highest standards of professionalism, efficiency, and

effectiveness in all endeavors. Help Ghana Foundation's dedication to excellence guarantees that

its programmes and services meet high standards of quality, efficiency, and effectiveness. For

example, the foundation's education efforts prioritise recruiting skilled instructors, providing
current learning materials, and creating rigorous assessment methods to evaluate student

development. This commitment to excellence strengthens the impact of its actions and fosters

trust among stakeholders. It is constantly looking for new ways to address Ghana's severe

societal concerns. For example, in its healthcare programmes, the foundation works with local

communities and healthcare experts to create and implement new healthcare delivery models.

Mobile health clinics, telemedicine services, and community health worker programmes are all

examples of ways to enhance access to healthcare in rural locations. By embracing innovation,

the foundation expands its reach and efficacy in meeting the needs of neglected groups. Help

Ghana Foundation conducts programmes that have an impact and adapts to changing needs and

situations by fusing innovation and excellence. This ensures the foundation's sustained success in

its mission to better lives in Ghana.

Also, because they actively involve the local community in the design, execution, and

assessment of programmes, community involvement and participation are essential to the success

of Help Ghana Foundation. When the community is involved, the projects become owned by

them. Incorporating community members into decision-making processes, such as in the case of

Help Ghana Foundation building a school, encourages them to take ownership of the project and

take joy in its accomplishment. Through community participation, the Help Ghana Foundation is

able to better align its programmes with the needs of the local community, making them more

pertinent and efficient. For instance, incorporating community leaders in health education

initiatives can guarantee that the messages are acceptable for the target culture and well-received.

For example, Help Ghana received an urgent message from the Headmistress of the St. Stephen's

R/C Primary school in Bodomase in the Ashanti Region appealing for support to renovate their
classroom building, so they supported the purchase of the materials and the local craftsmen

promised to build the roof for free. In this regard, community participation was applied because

the local craftsmen involved themselves and help to renovate the school.

Teamwork and Passion is an essential element that Help Ghana Foundation prioritise in their

operations and activities. When people operate as a team, they combine their resources,

expertise, and abilities to accomplish a common objective. At the Help Ghana Foundation, staff

members and volunteers collaborate to determine community problems and put long-term fixes

in place. The concept of teamwork by Tuckman explains the importance of teamwork in

achieving success, hence this foundation employs this concept in their line of work. Volunteers

and employees at the Help Ghana Foundation are driven by enthusiasm to give their time and

effort to improving the lives of Ghanaians. For example, a project manager who oversees a group

installing water filtration systems in marginalised areas could have a strong commitment to

expanding access to clean water. Teamwork and enthusiasm are essential for developing

resilience and dedication. Individuals that are passionate about the organization's mission are

more likely to endure, even in the face of hardships or disappointments. When people witness a

team working together with passion for a worthwhile cause, it inspires others to join or support

the organization's efforts. The joint efforts of driven people who have the same goal of improving

Ghanaian communities are what drive the success of the Help Ghana Foundation. They are able

to overcome obstacles and motivate people to support their cause by working as a team and

being dedicated, which results in real results and sustainable development initiatives.

For instance, at the Compassionate Kids School in Adawso, Eastern Region, the educational

approach is uniquely holistic, guided by the Triple H principle: nurturing the Head, Hands, and
Heart. This philosophy underscores the importance of a balanced education, extending beyond

traditional classroom learning to include outdoor activities, vital for the overall development of

children. The school had earmarked an area for such activities, but it required significant

preparation, including leveling and the installation of adequate drainage systems. Help Ghana

engaged with a former volunteer of the school to provide the educational needs for the school.

This exemplifies how teamwork can bring about success to an organisation.

In summary, Help Ghana’s unwavering dedication to their mission, core values, and strategic

focus areas has been instrumental in their positive impact on communities in Ghana.

An NGO cannot be labelled as unsuccessful but can be said to be facing challenges that is

hindering their successful and maximum operation in achieving their goals and aspirations. The

Climate Change Adaptation Foundation (CCAF) was established in Northern Ghana to address

climate change impacts. Their vision was to create resilient communities through adaptation

strategies. CCAF aimed to implement climate-smart practices, educate communities, and

enhance livelihoods. They focused on sustainable agriculture, water management, and disaster

preparedness. They work closely with other NGOs aiming for climate change adaptation. In their

operations they have encountered setbacks and drawbacks as a result of some factors which will

be discussed in the next paragraph.

One of the factors that is hindering CCAF to attain their goals is Insufficient Funding; CCAF

struggled due to inadequate external funding. Climate adaptation projects require sustained

financial support which in this case is not adequate enough for projects to be implemented.

Without appropriate funding, CCAF struggles to carry its planned projects successfully. For
example, they may be unable to invest in critical infrastructure such as seawalls or drought-

resistant crops, limiting their ability to adapt to climate change effects such as sea-level rise or

shifting precipitation patterns. It has been difficult to modify tactics in response to the lack of

resources to collect information on local climatic patterns or evaluate the effectiveness of

policies already put into place. Insufficient funding has prevented the foundation from

implementing outreach and education programmes aimed at increasing public knowledge of the

dangers of climate change and available adaption options. Communities may become more

vulnerable and susceptible to disasters as a result of this lack of preparation for the effects of

climate change. The foundation's operations can be irregular or unsustainable in the absence of

steady financial sources, which can ultimately prevent them from accomplishing their goals.

Furthermore, CCAF’s adaptation attempts are made without taking long-term effects into

account, they prioritise temporary rather than long-term repairs. For instance, a community

relying solely on traditional flood protection measures may find themselves vulnerable to

increasingly severe floods due to climate change. Long-term impact assessments assist in

determining investment priorities. If a foundation fails to examine long-term implications, it may

give resources to programmes with limited effectiveness or scalability, resulting in a waste of

funds. CCAF usually do not set long-term plans for projects or assess the longevity of an

initiative and the long-lasting effect it can have on a community.

Lastly, Identity fading is the term used to describe the process where people or groups gradually

lose their sense of self or their ties to a specific cause or organisation. If Climate Change

Adaptation Foundation fails to express a clear and compelling objective that resonates with its
members and the general public, it risks losing its identity. Members who lack a strong sense of

purpose may eventually lose interest in and disengage from the organisation.

Initially, the Climate Change Adaptation Foundation drew members from a wide range of

backgrounds who were enthusiastic in tackling the effects of climate change in their local

communities. But as the organisation became older, it found it more difficult to convey its

accomplishments, and members started to lose interest in the cause. Identity fading was made

worse by a lack of direction brought on by changes in leadership. The foundation finally

collapsed as a result of its inability to sustain velocity.

An NGO such as the Climate Change Adaptation Foundation might take into consideration a

number of techniques to rekindle its efforts and regain momentum when it is encountering

difficulties or failing.

To begin with, by lowering reliance on a single revenue source, diversifying funding sources for

foundations dedicated to climate change adaptation can lower the chance of failure. For example,

a foundation's operations may be compromised if it is completely dependent on government

subsidies and those grants are eliminated or lowered. The foundation can increase resilience by

obtaining donations from commercial firms, cooperating with philanthropic organisations, and

undertaking crowdfunding campaigns. This technique spreads the financial risk and increases the

possibility of retaining adequate funding even if one source is reduced. A more secure financial

basis for foundations devoted to climate change adaptation can also be achieved by

implementing income-generating activities like sustainable projects or service fees. A

reforestation-focused organisation, for example, might benefit financially from ecotourism.

Also, for organisations like the Climate Change Adaptation Foundation to be successful,

monitoring and assessment of climate change adaptation projects must be strengthened.

Monitoring enables the prompt identification of any flaws or inefficiencies in the execution of a

project. Monitoring can show that project management or resource allocation has to be changed,

for instance, if a project to create resilient infrastructure in a flood-prone area is continuously

running behind time. By keeping stakeholders accountable for their performance, evaluation

makes ensuring that project outcomes are evaluated in relation to predetermined benchmarks. By

giving stakeholders a clear understanding of the status and results of the project, regular

monitoring and evaluation foster transparency. The promotion of trust and collaboration among

stakeholders is facilitated by transparency. All things considered, optimising the efficiency and

influence of climate change adaptation endeavours requires fortifying the monitoring and

assessment procedures inside the Climate Change Adaptation Foundation and related

programmes.

To end, good communication skills play a crucial role in addressing the failure of Climate

Change Adaptation Foundation (CCAF). Effective communication enables CCAF to

communicate with diverse stakeholders, including government agencies, NGOs, communities,

and corporations. By clearly defining its aims, tactics, and problems, the CCAF may create

partnerships and gain support for adaptation projects. Communication activities can raise

awareness about the importance of climate change adaptation and the role of CCAF in tackling

it. This understanding may enhance public pressure on authorities to prioritise adaption measures

and allocate required funds. Transparent communication creates confidence among stakeholders

by providing regular updates on the success, difficulties, and effect of CCAF's initiatives. By
properly conveying the necessity of climate change adaptation and the impact of their work,

CCAF can get the funding required to carry out programmes and initiatives. Let’s say, for

instance, that CCAF carries out a project to assist coastal communities in adjusting to increasing

sea levels. Through proficient communication with local inhabitants, governmental bodies, and

environmental associations, CCAF guarantees that the project caters to the particular

requirements of the community, fosters local capability, and garners backing from significant

stakeholders.

On an ending note, it should be noted that no NGO is unsuccessful but they are rather faced with

challenges that hinder them from performing efficiently and the above explorations illustrated

are common patterns observed by me. While non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Ghana

have made significant progress in tackling social, economic, and political concerns, there is still

room for development in terms of their efficacy and sustainability. By applying the above ideas,

NGOs can increase their impact and contribute more effectively to constructive social change in

Ghana. All these factors can work efficiently when a holistic and participatory approach is used

in the operations and activities of NGO’s.

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