The STAR-Ghana Foundation has called for volunteerism to be integrated into Ghana’s national development framework, arguing that the approach offers a sustainable solution to growing development financing constraints and governance challenges.
Speaking at a two-day Community-Based Volunteerism Project Learning Event in Kumasi, the Foundation emphasized the need to harness local knowledge, skills and resources to drive development rather than relying heavily on external donor support.
Mr. Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu, Executive Director of STAR-Ghana Foundation, described volunteerism as one of Ghana’s most underutilised assets and urged policymakers to incorporate it into workforce planning and national development strategies.
“Volunteerism offers a sustainable way forward for this country, and we need to make efforts to make it the center of national development,” he said.
The learning event brought together Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), partner organisations, community leaders and government representatives to assess the impact of the Foundation’s Community-Based Volunteerism Project and share lessons from its implementation.
The pilot initiative, which is being implemented through 18 partner organisations across 91 communities in 10 regions, seeks to demonstrate how volunteerism can address social, economic and governance challenges while promoting active citizenship and community-led development.
Mr. Amidu noted that shrinking development funding worldwide made it increasingly important for communities to build on their own capacities and resources to achieve sustainable progress.
He advocated greater involvement of district assemblies, private sector institutions and local citizens in funding community development initiatives through local philanthropy and collective action.
According to him, true development goes beyond communities benefiting from projects and should involve communities taking ownership of both the process and outcomes.
Ms. Allswell Hooper-Garbrah, Project Officer for the Volunteerism Project, encouraged young people to embrace volunteerism as a pathway to personal growth and community transformation.
She urged the youth to identify and utilise opportunities and resources within their communities to contribute meaningfully to local development.
The Foundation believes that strengthening volunteerism and citizen participation can improve governance, enhance accountability and accelerate development outcomes across the country.
