Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu, Project Manager of Strengthening Transparency Accountability and Responsiveness (STAR)-Ghana, Tuesday commended Voice of People with Disabilities (Voice)-Ghana, for the resolutely staying within project objectives.
STAR-Ghana holds multi-donor funds for disbursement to organizations pursing projects that deepen government/public dealings.
This is to ensure accountability and inclusiveness while Voice-Ghana is a Ho-based disability rights advocacy NGO and a recipient of STAR-Ghana project funding.
Mr Amidu, who spoke during a working visit to the offices of VOICE-Ghana in Ho, said while others drifted on receiving funding, the disability rights advocate group stayed focused and reached targets stated in its project proposals.
He put VOICE-Ghana among the first 10 success stories among the 200 and more STAR-Ghana funded organizations across the country.
Mr Amidu, who dubbed his visit “touching base” also praised VOICE-Ghana for its governance structure, where board membership did not appear to be cosmetic and other linkages running and effective.
He said about a STAR-2 Programme, to run for five years, beginning October next year, as STAR-1 ends this December.
Mr Amidu said projects under STAR-2 should be more timing-precise with project duration better linked to project objectives and in-built quality assurance measures.
Mr Francis Asong, Director of VOICE-Ghana briefing Mr Tanko about structures and projects of the NGO, said STAR-Ghana had been a sustaining pillar.
Some of the STAR-Ghana supported projects VOICE-Ghana is or had undertaken include an inclusive education programme in the Ho Municipal and Nkwanta-South District which promoted education for People with Disabilities (PWDs) in an inclusive environment.
Mr Asong said an objective in that project for Parent Teacher Association (PTA) dues waivers for PWDs had been largely achieved as the Catholic Education and Islamic Education Units in the Nkwanta-South District had granted the waivers.
He said the project to encourage PWDs to take part in local governance in the Agotime-Ziope and Adaklu districts had built up the interest in about 16 of them, who were willing and ready to participate in the coming local government elections.
Mr Michael Tsikudo, Head of Special Education Desk of the Ho Municipal Directorate of the Ghana Education Service (GES), said VOICE-Ghana through its sponsors had raised capacities of staff of the Unit.
Mr Pual Fiavi, Board Chairman of VOICE-Ghana said the organization would take Mr Amidu’s counsel on staying focused seriously and that only projects thoroughly thought through would be implemented.
The DFID, DANIDA, EU and USAID are the funding partner organizations of STAR-Ghana.
