NGOs, Civil Society groups must be included in Ghana Beyond Aid Policy – Rev Opuni-Frimpong

The General Secretary of the Christian Council, Rev Opuni-Frimpong has charged the administrative government to put into consideration the role NGOs and Civil Society play when it comes to the Ghana beyond aid agenda.

According to Rev Opuni, these humanitarian institutions who depend on donor agencies and not the government are likely to face grave challenges if policymakers do not make provisions to enable them to operate without hindrances.

President Nana Addo Danquah Akufo- Addo and the NPP administration has on several platforms stated his determination to stop the over-reliance on foreign partners to finance the country's budget by ensuring that the citizens do so from their own resources. In their views, the interventions being embarked on to grow the private sector should help in achieving the aim.

However, Rev. Opuni reiterated that although President Akufo-Addo’s initiative geared towards building a society which is less dependent on other foreign support was commendable, fears are that donor agencies may withdraw their support because the “world communities will see Ghana as not needing aid.”

He explained that in order to close the gaps between the rich and poor in the society, the government should create a donor channel so that funding will not be an issue.

“We are in the rural areas providing water, HIV/AIDS care, many more to help these underprivileged communities. Now we don’t depend on government but we depend on aid from other bodies.”

“That is why we are requesting the president and his administration should build an infrastructure for civil society groups…that when we are close to elections when we are in crisis… are able to help us close the inequalities in Ghana,” he said.