On the 30th September, 2020, the STAR Ghana programme, a programme with a vision to improve the quality of life for all Ghanaians through improved governance in the delivery of public goods and services will be brought to an end and its programmes transitioned into the Star Ghana Foundation.

The Programme which has ran for 10 years was established as a multi-donor pooled funding mechanism in 2010 supported by UK aid, DANIDA, the EU and the USAID (2010-2015).

The Programme has supported 233 grant partner organisations to articulate citizens’ concerns to the state, resulting in positive changes to policy, services and practice. These positive changes have translated into transformed lives – including children in school learning; women taking control of their livelihoods; rural communities getting a fairer share of development gains; citizens participating in inclusive and peaceful elections; and citizens and businesses taking a stand against corruption. Many of the 439 projects that have been supported by STAR Ghana continue to produce results even after the end of funding.

Looking back at some of the achievements of the Programme, Mr Frank Amoateng, a Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Manager of the Foundation, recalled that the Programme supported Lease Afrique in its anti corruption animations for junior and secondary schools.

The Programme also supported the Chamber of Pharmacy, Ministry of Local Government, the National Council on Persons with Disability in the passage of various legal instruments, Bills and Acts as well as debates on elections by aspiring Presidential candidates.

The Chairperson of the Star Ghana Foundation, Dr Esther Ofei-Aboagye noted that the Foundation would continue with the good works of the programme so as to get a well-informed and active Ghanaian citizenry able to contribute to transformational change that advances democracy, accountability and social inclusion.

She said that the Foundation will work towards increasing the effectiveness of citizens and civil society to achieve an equitable, inclusive society by convening inclusive dialogue and collaboration; catalysing active citizenship and collective action; coordinating and supporting strategic partnerships, and facilitating continuous learning to fuel wider scale change.

Dr Ofei-Aboagye said that the ultimate goal of the Foundation is to ensure that all citizens, regardless of gender, disability, age or location, are empowered to participate in decisions and raise concerns, where necessary. She pledged the Foundation's continuous support for a vibrant civil society to engage constructively with the government and drive forward a transformative development agenda that will leave nobody behind.

She noted that it was the Foundation's belief that a vibrant civil society had the power to unlock transformational and lasting solutions to Ghana’s development challenges. She said that Ghana had a strong tradition of civil society organisations working to better the lives of citizens and that the Foundation believed that active citizens are the key to a better future for ALL Ghanaians.

The Foundation works with civil society to connect their interests with others, and help to ensure all voices are heard by decision makers, both local and national. Her work with government aims to create a state that is responsive and accountable to its citizens by promoting constructive dialogue at district, regional and national levels.