A traditional ruler has called on development oriented Non Governmental Organisations (NGOs) to adopt organisational and implementation approaches that would bring real and sustainable changes in the lives of the people they worked with.
Barima Ofe Kwasi Okogyaesuo II, Paramount Chief of Kokofu Traditional Area said the approaches of such NGOs, also engaged in community empowerment and advocacy, must result in physical changes in the lives of the vulnerable, poor and deprived members of the communities in which they operated.
At a stakeholders' forum organised by the Kumasi Sub-office of Care International on Thursday, Barima Okogyaesuo said, "some NGOs which claimed to be working for the improvement of the lives of the vulnerable turned round to buy big cars and put up mansions in the cities which do not benefit the people".
The forum aimed at bringing together stakeholders of Care International to review the impact of the various projects and share experiences to improve them.
Barima Okogyaeso commended Care International for adopting the right approaches to empower the people in the communities to initiate their own development activities.
Mr Kwadwo Ansah, who represented Care Gulf of Guinea Mission, said the organisation had made significant impact in the lives of the people in the implementing communities.
He said Care International was dedicated to enhancing the dignity of the poor and be the voice for the vulnerable and deprived in society, especially women and children.
Mr Bright Wereko-Brobbey, Kumasi Sub-Office Coordinator, said Care, with its core values being respect, integrity, commitment and excellence sought to build sustainable partnerships with stakeholders in the implementing districts to ensure the continuity of projects.
He called on all stakeholders to support the organisation to sustain the projects.
The Kumasi Sub-Office of care International is currently implementing about five projects in agriculture and natural resources, micro finance, education, reproductive health, HIV/AIDS and water and sanitation in some selected districts in the Ashanti, Brong Ahafo and Western Regions.
Among the projects are; the Cargil Rural Education Project, which seeks to eliminate child labour in cocoa growing areas and increase children access to school, Cadbury Cocoa Partnership Programme, to empower cocoa farmers to increase production and their incomes and PREVENT, an HIV/AIDS prevention project.
Others are REGAL, to increase girl-child access to school and IMAGE, which provides credit facilities to empower community members to undertake income generating activities.
Some of the implementing districts are Ahafo Ano North and South, Mampong Municipal, Sekyere Central, Bekwai Municipal, Amansie West, Ejisu-Juaben, Ejura-Sekyedumase, Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai, Sefwi-Wiawso, Tain, Techiman and Sunyani Municipality.