UNESCO official warns of dire consequences amid dwindling funds for local NGOs

The Head of Education at UNESCO Ghana, Dr. Prosper Nyavor, has raised concerns about dwindling funding opportunities for local non-governmental organizations (NGOs), warning of serious repercussions for the sustainability of development interventions across Ghana.

Speaking at the launch of the 15th anniversary of Savana Signatures, Dr Nyavor emphasised the crucial role played by local NGOs in empowering poor and marginalised people and communities, particularly those in remote areas.

He highlighted the sacrifices made by these local actors and stressed that the declining financial support now poses a significant threat to the continuity of their impactful initiatives.

He attributed the reduction in funding opportunities to Ghana’s lower middle-income status and the ‘Ghana Beyond Aid’ agenda.

“Ghana’s lower middle-income status and the Ghana Beyond Aid mantra has led to significant reduction in funding opportunities for local NGOs, especially for interventions that seek to deliver essential services as well as relief work in general,” he stated.

He observed many of the interventions by these organisations have led to development of good models and practices that need to be replicated or scaled up in many communities, but the current financial constraints jeopardize their ability to sustain these positive outcomes.

In his keynote address themed ‘Transforming Lives and Empowering Futures – The Impact of Local NGOs’, Dr Nyavor underscored the need for government collaboration with local NGOs, particularly in the implementation of key national programmes such as Ghana’s IMF programme and the Ghana Partnership for Education.

He argued that local NGOs serve as pivotal agents of change in rural and peri-urban areas, citing their proven track record in effecting meaningful transformations and empowering individuals and communities for a brighter future.

Started as a computer training centre in Savelugu, Savana Signatures has evolved over 15 years to leverage innovative ICT solutions for behaviour change among youth, women, and vulnerable groups across multiple sectors.

The 15th anniversary is being marked on the theme: ‘Transforming Lives, Empowering Futures: A 15-Year Journey of Innovation and Impact’.

Executive Director of Savana Signatures Dr. Stephen Agbenyon highlighted the organisation’s pioneering initiatives in ICT for development, including ICT for Girls, Tech Girls and quiz competitions which significantly promoted ICT education in northern Ghana.

“Having championed and seen the growth of the landscape, we took the decision 10 years ago to put less emphasis on the technological tools and rather focus on how the tools could be leveraged to leapfrog development across various sectors. We chose for ourselves and placed emphasis on Education, Health and Economic Empowerment or what others would call livelihoods,” he said.

Touching on developments in ICT education in Ghana, Dr Agbenyo said it was unfortunate that there is currently a disconnect between policy and practice, noting that a simple review of the 2008 and 2015 ICT in Education Policy has dragged.

“We are in 2024, in an era of AI and yet we are yet to conclude a review of a 2008 and 2015 policy,” he said, adding: “We believe that this is taking too long”.

He thus urged the government to expedite the review process to bridge the gap between policy intentions and practical implementation.

He called for enhanced stakeholder engagement and transparency to ensure alignment between policy directives and on-the-ground realities.

Expressing gratitude to stakeholders for their unwavering support, Dr. Agbenyon acknowledged the collective effort that has sustained Savana Signatures’ mission over the years.

Meanwhile, a new three-storey office building was unveiled and a conference room within the building posthumously named after a former Northern Regional Director of the Population Council, Chief Alhassan Issahaku Amadu, who supported the work of Savana Signatures over the years.

The post UNESCO official warns of dire consequences amid dwindling funds for local NGOs first appeared on 3News.

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