The Leadership of the Parliament of Ghana, with support from STAR Ghana Foundation has scheduled a Public Forum on the theme: ‘Broadening citizens’ engagement in participatory democracy - The Role of Parliament’. The Forum is scheduled for Thursday 1ST August 2019 and will be held at the D.F. Annan Auditorium within the premises of Parliament at 2pm.
The forum will be hosted by the Leadership (Majority and Minority Leaders) of Parliament and is expected to give citizens an opportunity to directly interact with the Leadership of the House. The purpose is to provide information on the role and performance of the Legislature and invite feedback from the public to enable Parliament respond adequately to citizens’ concerns.
Under the Parliament/STAR-Ghana Collaboration, an open Parliament is anticipated where Parliamentarians at all levels would engage citizens, media and various stakeholders more constructively. It is expected that citizens will be informed of the mandate of the Parliament of Ghana and share their feedback with Parliament to enhance an Open Parliament system in Ghana.
Related projects
STAR Ghana initiates `Legislative Watch` to improve CSO-Parliament nexus
STAR Ghana Foundation as part of its convening, catalyst and coordinating role has in collaboration with the Africa Centre for Parliamentary Affairs (ACEPA) initiated a project dubbed `Legislative Watch`. The project will partner selected regional level Civil Society Organizations to systematically engage and bridge the interests of citizens and Parliament – as a representative body, through legislative scrutiny. The purpose of the project is to enhance the interaction between citizens/CSOs and Parliament for accountability and effective service delivery. The project will particularly focus on the promulgation of an Affirmative Action Act and the revision of the Disability Act.
Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu, Executive Director of STAR Ghana Foundation, speaking at the inception meeting held in Accra on Wednesday 17th July 2019 set the pace for the meeting. Drawing on STAR Ghana’s theory of Change, Ibrahim-Tanko elaborated on the rationale for the Legislative Watch project.
Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Committee on Constitutional, Legal and Parliamentary Affairs of the Parliament of Ghana: Hon. Banda Ben Abdallah provided insights into the work of parliament in respective of Parliament-CSO/citizens relations on Legislations.
He lauded the Legislative Watch initiative and commended STAR Ghana Foundation for its continued and sustained support to the Parliament of Ghana.
“STAR Ghana has been an ally to parliament for a very long time, since 2009 when I entered (parliament), STAR Ghana has been with us and STAR Ghana continues to be with us… let me commend STAR Ghana and other CSOs, when we were passing the Right to information bill, the Special Prosecutor bill, the input that they gave us found its version in the Act”
Hon. Banda was, however, quick to add that CSOs must do more in sensitizing citizens on new laws that have been passed. Citing the Right to Information Bill as an example, he indicated that:
“After the new law has been passed, you should take the implementation to the grassroot, that is what I haven’t seen much, because what makes implementation (of laws) easy is when citizens understand it, when they have knowledge about it … the right to information bill was a very important bill, but how many people know about it now? Before it was passed we heard all kinds of pressure, but after its passage, everything is down”
It is anticipated that by the end of the project in February 2020, citizens’ voice would have been adequately captured and projected around an Affirmative Action Bill and the review of the Disability Act. Evidence-based input will be submitted to relevant parliamentary committees/MDAs and fed into the legislative process to improve the quality of laws passed by Parliament – laws that respond to the needs of the citizenry. Best strategies for effective CSO-Parliament engagements on parliament’s legislative function will be documented and shared to improve the quality of outcomes of CSOs-Parliament engagement.
In attendance were representatives of the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, and the Office of the Attorney General. Also present were Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) including the Media, Faith-based organization, Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations among others.
Stakeholder Consultations on Election 2020 Call held in Accra and Tamale
STAR Ghana Foundation has organized two stakeholder consultative meetings on Thursday 11th July and Tuesday 16th July 2019 in Tamale and Accra respectively. The aim of the consultation was to share information on the purpose and strategy of a proposed Elections 2020 Call with key stakeholders and collate inputs from same to inform the design of the Call.
The Foundation intends to launch a Call for Proposals targeting civil society organizations (CSOs) and focusing on the 2020 presidential and parliamentary elections in Ghana. The Call for proposals will be the Foundation’s first since it was launched in November 2018.
Speaking at the event held in Accra, Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu, Ag. Executive Director of STAR Ghana Foundation, outlined the rationale for the Election 2020 Call to include: maintaining the momentum generated by Civil Society around issues of governance and inclusive development as well as responding to critical national priorities timeously. He indicated that:
“it is also an opportunity for the new STAR Ghana Foundation to build its curriculum vitae for fundraising and test its systems for programming and for financial and grants management.”
Participants at the event shared their input and selected three (3) out of five (5) proposed priority issues that could provide the most impact for the 2020 general Elections in group discussions.
The group discussions, facilitated by Teiko Sabah, Ag. Programmes and Policy Director of STAR Ghana Foundation focussed on five proposed priority issues highlighted in a presentation shared by Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu. Participants also shared suggestions for effective collaboration among CSOs that could contribute to a transparent, credible, inclusive and peaceful Elections 2020 in Ghana.
Three (3) key issues were unanimously identified as the topmost priority issues that could provide the most impact for the 2020 general Elections:
- Addressing vigilantism and election-related conflicts
- Inclusion and active participation of GESI-groups in all stages of the elections (value-chain)
- Influencing manifestos at constituency and national levels, including debates.
Participants were of the view that issues of inclusion and active participation of GESI-groups should be mainstreamed across all thematic areas that would be decided on.
In attendance were: Subscribers and members of the STAR Ghana Foundation Governing Council, members of the Academia, representatives of civil society organizations (CSOs) including the Media, and political parties.
Next Steps
Nicholas Ayensu-Appiah, Grants and Due Diligence Manager of STAR Ghana provided some insights on the immediate next steps post stakeholder consultation.
Nicholas Ayensu-Appiah stated that:
"STAR Ghana Foundation will officially launch the `Election 2020` Call in August 2019. The Call for Applications will span a three-week period. Prior to the official launch, STAR Ghana Foundation will organize a series of information sessions at various locations across the country to explain the Call requirements and introduce prospective applicants to relevant Call documents and templates".
We are hiring - Internship opportunity for recent graduates
STAR Ghana Foundation is a national centre for active citizenship and philanthropy. It works to strengthen civil society and enable citizens to engage with the state to ensure accountable, transparent and responsive governance at both national and local levels. Our vision is a well-informed and active Ghanaian citizenry able to contribute to transformational change that advances democracy, accountability and social inclusion.
STAR Ghana Foundation is offering full-time internship opportunities for University graduates who have completed their national service. Interns will work within various workstreams to support the implementation of planned programme activities and the achievement of results.
Depending on the area of interest and skills, will be assigned to the following areas of STAR-Ghana’s work:
- Programme support;
- Programme learning and communication
- Support to Parliament
- Monitoring and Evaluation
- Policy Advocacy
Specific activities may include but not limited to:
- Assist workstream leads or sector staff with tasks as needed
- Provide support in the day-to-day management and coordination of project activities
- Provide administrative and logistical support for the organization of key events
- Prepare minutes or reports of meetings and tracking implementation of action points
What will you learn here?
This internship can help start a successful career in development, building skillsets, expanding networks, and providing real-world experience in this challenging but rewarding work. It is expected that upon completion of the placement, interns will have gained a deepened understanding of development practice, building partnerships and working collaboratively to achieve results.
Timing and Duration
This internship placement will be for a six-month period beginning August 2019.
Qualifications and Competencies
- Minimum of a 1st degree from a recognized university
- Must have completed National Service at the time of application
- Excellent writing and verbal communication skills
- Good time management, problem solving orientation and ability to prioritize multiple tasks
- Ability to adapt and work independently with limited supervision
- Basic analytical and research skills
- Good knowledge of MS Office applications (outlook, word, excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
- Team player: You should be able to work well in a team
To be considered applicants must submit the following:
- A Statement of Interest, setting out applicant’s reasons for applying for the opportunity and key competencies;
- A current resume / CV in reverse chronological format;
- A list of at least 3 professional references including name, contact information, and statement of relationship to the reference.
To Apply:
Send your CV together with a one-page motivation letter on how the internship will advance your career to applications@star-ghana.org by 22nd July 2019. Click to download Terms of reference.
Note: We receive more applications from qualified candidates than we can place. Only shortlisted applicants will be directly contacted by the recruitment manager. If you do not receive any update within one month, please consider your application as not successful.
