Stakeholders in philanthropy demand policy framework for volunteerism in Ghana
Stakeholders at the Ghana Philanthropy Conference 2024 have called on the government to implement a deliberate national strategy and policy to foster a culture of volunteerism among citizens.
The stakeholders made the demand in a communique after a two-day conference held at the Alisa Swiss Hotel, which brought together representatives from civil society organizations, government institutions, the private sector, and volunteer groups.
On the theme: “Volunteerism as Civic Action”, the conference, convened by STAR-Ghana Foundation in collaboration with key organizations such as the University of Ghana’s Centre for Social Policy Studies, Ghana Philanthropy Forum, and the National Youth Authority, highlighted the critical role volunteerism plays in community development, social justice, and nation-building.
The participants said volunteerism served as a catalyst for mobilizing citizens, strengthening civic engagement, and addressing community challenges at the grassroots level.
They noted that collective efforts from individuals, institutions, and the state were essential for volunteerism to thrive in Ghana.
The communique called for the establishment of a National Policy on Volunteerism to formalize and structure volunteer efforts across the country.
The proposed policy would provide a framework for incentivizing individual and corporate volunteering while ensuring that programmes, particularly for youth, are well-supported and impactful, the communique said.
Participants also recommended incorporating volunteerism into the national educational curriculum to nurture active citizenship from a young age.
Additionally, they advocated for a National Volunteerism Week to promote and celebrate volunteer efforts nationwide.
To further support volunteer initiatives, stakeholders urged the Government to finalize and implement the Not-for-Profit Organizations Bill – a legislation expected to create a supportive legal environment for the operations of civil society organizations (CSOs) and volunteer groups.
Recognizing the energy and potential of young people, the conference stressed the importance of creating opportunities for youth involvement in volunteerism.
Participants, therefore, proposed leveraging digital platforms such as LinkedIn and gogivetime.org to connect volunteers with organizations and initiatives requiring their services.
Capacity-building programmes, including mentorships and training sessions, were also highlighted as critical to equipping young volunteers for impactful engagement.
To enhance the visibility and impact of volunteerism, stakeholders further called for collaborative research efforts between academia, CSOs, and the private sector. Proposals included establishing endowed research chairs and providing scholarships for graduate studies focused on volunteerism.
These measures, they explained, aim to deepen understanding and drive innovation in volunteer-driven development initiatives.
The conference reaffirmed the role of volunteerism in advancing social justice as participants committed to using volunteer platforms to speak out against socio-economic and political injustices hindering the attainment of a fair and equitable society.
They also called for tax incentives and other rewards for organizations and individuals supporting volunteerism as a means to scale up these efforts.
The stakeholders expressed their shared vision for a Ghana where volunteerism was not only celebrated but also institutionalized as a cornerstone of civic responsibility.
“Volunteerism is a catalyst for nation-building,” the communique concluded, urging all sectors of society to foster a national culture of volunteerism for Ghana’s inclusive and sustainable development.
Source: GNA