UNV Programme Officer criticises corrupt NGOs

Accra, Sept. 26, GNA - Mr Joseph Oji, United Nations Volunteer (UNV) Programme Officer in Ghana, on Friday has criticised youth related non-governmental organisations (NGOs) in Africa that misapply donor funding of projects by hiking overhead costs.

He said some NGOs often under spent funds allotted to projects, thus undermining the confidence of the donor community.

Mr Oji, who was speaking to the Ghana News Agency at the close of a two-day UNV organised Youth Volunteerism Capacity Building Training Programme in Accra, said: "Some NGOs also lack project delivery capacity; sound financial record keeping and management and leadership skills to access donor funding."

He called on Managers of these organisations to be transparent, accountable and adapt innovative and creative ways of packaging and executing projects to win public support and confidence. The workshop, co-organised by the Global Youth Action Network, was on the theme: "Building the Capacity of National Partners for Community Service Amongst the Youth."

It attracted 150 youth groups from Ghana and Liberia, who deliberated on: "The Role of Youth Voluntary Organisations in Promoting National Development and Peace"; "Project Document Development" and "Leadership in Strategic Thinking".

A Development Expert, Mrs Mary Owusu lectured participants on "Project Proposal Development and Approaching Donors" said: "Funding is not a right, a gift or donation in un-limiting supply.

"You need to convince donors that you have a legitimate project, you are capable of managing the project, achieving and delivering results and that you are a credible organization."

Mrs Owusu asked the participants to be very clear about their project objectives and gather donor intelligence by looking for information on potential donor sources either on the Internet; Directories; Diplomatic Missions; Government Ministries and the District Assemblies.

Mr Johnson Fasemkye, Finance Officer of the United Nations Development Programme, delivered a paper on "Financial Records Management and Reporting".

He warned the participants against alteration of financial records, which he said amounted to fraud.

Dr Baffour Agyeman Duah, Associate Director of the Center for Democracy and Development (CDD), who chaired the function, lauded youth groups that had played proactive roles in pushing forward the country's development agenda.