By Maltiti Sayida Sadick
The Ghana Philanthropy Conference 2024 facilitated by STAR-Ghana Foundation came to a close, in partnership with the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection, the National Youth Authority, Ghana Philanthropy Forum, West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), the University of Ghana Centre for Social Policy Studies, and the CSOs SDGs Platform at Alisa Hotel in Accra, the theme was, ‘Volunteerism as a Civic Action,’ and the Conference aimed to provide a platform for dialogue among stakeholders to strengthen linkages of initiatives and promote exchanges among stakeholders toward advancing the development of philanthropy in Ghana.
Speaking at the conference, Daniel Kodzo Fiawortror, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection, hinted at a forthcoming national consultation to gather public insights on a proposed National Volunteerism Policy according to him the planned deliberations seek to harness the collective voices of Ghanaians, aiming to create a robust framework that encourages volunteerism, and supports active citizenship and community-driven development across the nation.
During his keynote address at the ongoing two-day conference in Accra, Father Andrew Campbell the Founders of Lepers Aid committee highlighted the transformative power of volunteerism in bringing development through unity and resilience.
He emphasized how volunteerism brings communities together, fostering strength through service and compassion. Member of the panel were made up of executives from Telecommunications networks, like MTN, Telecel and other state organizations like Ghana National Gas company and private entities such as Fidelity Bank among others sharing their various organization’s policies and frameworks for volunteerism through dedicated employee volunteer programs, and funding philanthropic works by charity organizations.
Speaking at the conference Mr Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu, the Executive Director of STAR-Ghana Foundation emphasized how the conference seeks to “spotlight volunteerism as a key part of philanthropy.” Mr. Amidu added that the conference will elevate volunteerism as a form of giving in solidarity and in fulfilling social and civic responsibility highlighting a presentation by the “My Hereafter Foundation” an organization that raises funds on social media to support medical surgeries of less privileged people in society and how platforms like ‘yen somu bi” among others have facilitated the raising of funds.
Exploring Volunteerism from multiple angles, Participants at the Ghana Philanthropy Conference were split into four parallel group sessions, each focusing on unique perspectives on volunteerism. Participants chose between volunteerism and Social Justice, Youth & volunteerism, volunteerism and Research, as well as volunteerism and Technology. The maiden conference was held under the theme, ‘Philanthropy for sustainable development: opportunities, challenges and the future’.
The conference was attended by approximately 200 participants from civil society organizations, academia, and private and public organizations. At the 2023 conference, it was endorsed that the philanthropy conference is held annually to celebrate progress, critically examine/challenge thinking and practice, and build effective alliances and partnerships to advance philanthropic practices in Ghana.