Csos Platform Called On Government To Halt Implementation Of The NPO Policy And Directives
The Civil Society Organizations Platforms on Non-Profit Organizations are calling on the Government of Ghana to halt the implementation of the Non-Profit Organizations Policy and Directives.
This is due to poor consultations and serious implementation challenges identified in their operations.
Mr. Richard Kasu a member of the platform speaking at a press conference today at the Ghana National Association of Teachers Hall, on behalf of the over 350 Civil Society Organizations said they signed on to the CSOs Platform on the Non-Profit Organizations (NPO) Policy.
They are championing the advocacy and other 1,000s of Non-Profit in Ghana. The press engagement anchored theme was:
Collectively Building Resilient and Inclusive Regulatory Systems for NPOs Effectiveness and Sustenance in Ghana.
He said after carefully studying the Non-Profit Policy and Directives and conducting intensive peer discussions, the Non-Profit Civil Society Organizations have gathered these Policy implications on the Civil Society sustainability in Ghana.
The 350 Members of the Civil Society Organizations Platform on the Non-Profit Organizations in Ghana, states to the Government of Ghana, Policy makers and Sector Ministry in question, that “Nothing for Us without Us”.
They held today’s press conference to draw Government attention to identified the implementation challenges on this all-important National NPO Policy.
These were what they stated at the press briefing:
1, That the spirit behind the reforms of the NPO Sector and for that matter the policy document is good and highly appreciated.
2, That they support any other policy reforms that will inure to the benefit of CSOs and NPOs and target beneficiaries, and which will also ensure that an enabling environment is created for their operations.
They wish to indicate that the NPO Policy and Directives as in its current form lacks the merit of its purpose, and the process lacked adequate consultations of the numerous key stakeholders of whom are affected by the policy.
One part of policy suggests the codes of conduct will be developed by NPOs as Self-Regulatory Peer Review Mechanisms; whiles
other sections indicate that the codes of conduct will be developed by NPO Secretariat.
The NPO Policy Directives stipulates that the codes of conduct will be developed collaboratively between the NPOs and NPO Secretariat.
The Non-Profit Organizations (NPO) by the policy is not exhaustive and just assumes Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) are equated to Non-Profit Organizations, and Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and their operations are not well catered for in the policy definitions.
The NPO Policy do not foster that enabling environment for Citizen’s participation and Government responsiveness, and is not carefully designed to strengthen and transform the NPO Sector which plays a pivotal role in the sustainable development of the country.
They are therefore calling on the Government of Ghana to as a matter of urgency halt the implementation of the NPO Policy and Directives, and consider its review through a more participatory process to authenticate its effectiveness and usefulness to the state.
They affirm their support to the Government of Ghana to Collectively Build a Resilient and Inclusive Regulatory Systems for NPOs Effectiveness and Sustenance in Ghana.
This was signed and committed by the over 350 Civil Society Organizations for and on behalf of the over several thousand of CSOs/NGOs/CBOs.
By: Bugbila Moadow
Source: Bestghananews.com
