Difference between revisions of "Ghana NGO Sector"
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==Conclusion== | ==Conclusion== | ||
| − | Despite this recent history of embattled relations between government and civil society, the nonprofit sector can look forward to renewed progress. In June 2006, Akosua Frema Osei Opare, Deputy Minister for Manpower, Youth and Employment, indicated that the national NGO policy was currently being prepared for cabinet and parliamentary approval | + | Despite this recent [[History of the NGO Sector|history]] of embattled relations between government and civil society, the nonprofit sector can look forward to renewed progress. In June 2006, Akosua Frema Osei Opare, Deputy Minister for Manpower, [[Youth NGOs|Youth]] and Employment, indicated that the national NGO policy was currently being prepared for cabinet and parliamentary approval. |
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| + | There is indication that the NGO sector, with government assistance, is moving towards establishing a quantifiable method for tracking the number and type of organizations in the sector. Also in June of 2006, a revised and updated directory of NGOs in Ghana, covering 2005-2008, was published (The first edition was published in 1999). In making the announcement of the directory, Deputy Minister Opare said the ministry was engaged in developing a computerized database on NGOs and community-based organizations nationwide in order to maintain updated information and accreditation. | ||
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| + | The nonprofit sector acted to further establish and regulate itself in the 1990s. Now in the new century, challenges remain, but with further building of local and national coalitions, and working with global networks, nonprofits will be supported and can continue to be a significant actor in Ghanaian society. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Latest revision as of 10:16, 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.
