Empowering Change: STAR-Ghana Foundation's Volunteerism Co-Creation, Inception Workshop inspires hope

 In a bustling conference hall in the heart of the Ashanti regional capital, representatives from various organizations and regions gathered with eager anticipation for a unique opportunity – the STAR-Ghana Foundation Volunteerism Project Co-Creation and Inception Workshop. This event promised not only a platform for collaboration but also a chance to shape the future of community-driven initiatives.

Selected partners from diverse sectors, ranging from education to healthcare, were invited to present their project proposals for feedback and refinement. The atmosphere buzzed with energy as participants exchanged ideas and shared their visions for positive change in Ghana.

As the workshop commenced, the facilitators emphasized the importance of volunteerism as a catalyst for social transformation. They highlighted STAR-Ghana's commitment to empowering grassroots initiatives and fostering a culture of active citizenship.

read more: https://www.star-ghana.org/latest-news/631-empowering-change-star-ghana-foundation-s-volunteerism-co-creation-inception-workshop-inspires-hope

STAR-Ghana Foundation, partners, elated as Basic education receive highest GETFund allocation in 7 years.

 The recent approval of the highest-ever allocation from the Ghana Education Trust Fund (GETFund) to basic education by Parliament signals a significant advancement in educational investment under the current government. The allocation of GH₵800 million, representing 20 percent of the total GETFund formula for 2024, marks a substantial increase from the 12 percent allocated in 2023, highlighting the government's heightened recognition of the pressing need for infrastructure development at the basic education level.

A breakdown shows GH₵370 million for new and ongoing basic school projects, GH₵270 million for procurement, and GH₵100 million for furniture, underscoring a comprehensive approach towards addressing the challenges faced by the basic education sector. This progress is a significant step forward, following years of advocacy efforts led by STAR-Ghana Foundation through its partnership with Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), and collaborations with civil society organizations (CSOs), including the Ghana National Education Campaign (GNECC), CSOs Platform on SDGs and Africa Education Watch.

The Foundation in an appreciation letter to parliament expressed gratitude to Chairman and members of the Education Committee for their “unwavering support to equitable and quality access to education”.

 A critical aspect of STAR-Ghana Foundation's engagement involved fruitful interactions with the Parliamentary Select Committee on Education and consistent dialogue with the Minister of Education, ensuring that the voices of stakeholders were heard and considered in the decision-making process. This collaborative approach facilitated productive discussions, which ultimately led to the approval of this historic allocation for basic education.

read more: https://www.star-ghana.org/latest-news/629-star-ghana-foundation-partners-elated-as-basic-education-receive-highest-getfund-allocation-in-7-years

Parliament’s Committee on Education pledges more engagement

 Parliament’s Select Committee on Education has pledged to engage the Ministry of Education to convene a national conversation on education delivery as one of the ways of enhancing space for citizen-state dialogues on issues of importance to citizens.

This follows a strategic dialogue held between CSOs and the Education Committee of Parliament. The meeting, convened by STAR-Ghana Foundation brought together CSOs including the African Education Watch, Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition, International Child Development Programme, and the Coalition of Concerned Teachers, to dialogue with Parliament’s Select Committee on Education on key issues in basic education. The meeting discussed “Memorandum of Issues in the Basic Education Sector” put together by the Foundation and and its partners.

In his opening remarks, Executive Director of STAR-Ghana Foundation, Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu, acknowledged parliament’s work with the Foundation, stressing the importance of the relationship between the two.

“For us, your presence is a testimony of the importance you attach to working with us, which is to help improve the quality of education and make it accessible to all students of this country, regardless of your social status” he said.

He added, “We believe that strengthening the nexus between civil society, Parliament, and duty bearers is critical to any improvement in the country.”

read more: https://www.star-ghana.org/latest-news/630-parliament-s-committee-on-education-pledges-more-engagement-on-education

CSSF Partners inception meeting - Shifting the Power for collective impact

 Since last year, STAR-Ghana Foundation and the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) have been implementing an eight-year Civil Society Strengthening Programme – Shifting the Power (CSSP – #StP) which seeks to enhance the effectiveness, responsiveness, and resilience of Civil Society Actors (CSAs).

With funding from Comic Relief and the Foreign Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), there are three main grant components under the CSSP-#StP): the Catalyst fund, Civil Society Strengthening Fund (CSSF) and Resource Matching fund.

read more: https://www.star-ghana.org/latest-news/628-cssf-partners-inception-meeting-shifting-the-power-for-collective-impact