By:Jacob Aggrey
A conference on philanthropism or ‘act of kindness’ to the poor in society has opened in Accra, with a focus on harnessing the pivotal influence of philanthropic organisations towards sustainable growth and a more inclusive society.
The conference, a brainchild of ‘Star Ghana Foundation‘ is themed: “Philanthropy for sustainable development, opportunities, challenges, and the future”. It is building on similar deliberations in the past to scale up support for the vulnerable while keeping a focus on sustainable development.
This year’s conference is seeking to promote social change to build more resilient and inclusive societies. The Ghana Philanthropy Conference is envisaged as an annual event bringing together a cross section of stakeholders in Ghana’s Philanthropic space for dialogue on key issues confronting the sector.
The two day conference is also highlighting the immense contributions of philanthropism, its pitfalls and find workable solutions as a catalyst for change.
Executive Director of Star Ghana Foundation, Alhaji Amidu Ibrahim Tanko hopes participants will mobilize Philanthropy to meet the challenging Times.
Executive Director of the African Philanthropy Network, Stigmata Tenga said support for the less endowed in these times demands priority attention. Madam Tenga made a case for policy restructuring and the inclusion of a framework that promotes philanthropism for the collective good of Ghanaians.
The Dutch Ambassador to Ghana, Jeroen Verheul made a passionate appeal to philantropic institutions not take their eyes of the SDGs while they work to improve the lives of the vulnerable in society.
Indeed, philanthropy is based on the assumption that societies are interdependent and it takes all to make Societies livable. Philanthropy, though can have an element of Charity, is more than that. Whilst Charity involves giving to relieve short term suffering, philanthropy often seeks to promote social change to build more resilient and inclusive societies.
