The University of Ghana Debate Society has paid a courtesy call on STAR-Ghana Foundation and the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) to express appreciation for the support received through the Civil Society Strengthening Programme (CSSP) following their victory in the Pan-African Shifting the Power Youth Debate. The team, which won both the national and […]

Introduction In recent years, Ghana has seen a commendable rise in the number of women appointed to senior positions in government. From ministers and deputy ministers to ambassadors and high-ranking public offices, women are increasingly occupying leadership spaces hitherto considered off-limits for women. These strides are often celebrated as signs of progress toward gender equality […]

Background Volunteerism is a key driver of national development, social cohesion, and active citizenship. Across Africa, individuals and communities continue to contribute their time, skills, and expertise to address social challenges and advance collective wellbeing. This tradition of voluntary action is deeply rooted in African societies, where mutual support, communal labour, and civic responsibility have […]

A coalition of fourteen civil society organizations, including the STAR-Ghana Foundation has filed an application to join the Supreme Court proceedings regarding the constitutionality of the Office of the Special Prosecutor Act, 2017 (Act 959). Our intervention is rooted in a shared commitment to constitutionalism, institutional integrity, and the preservation of independent anti-corruption institutions established […]

The University of Ghana has emerged as the overall winner of the Pan-African Grand Finale of the Shifting the Power Youth Debate, defeating teams from Zambia and Malawi in a highly competitive contest that celebrated youth leadership, policy innovation and locally driven development solutions.The debate, organised under the Shifting the Power Programme, brought together young […]

As West Africa faces a surge in violent extremism and political instability, a new frontline of defense is emerging: a unified network of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) spanning three nations. At STAR-Ghana Foundation’s 7th Northern Ghana Security Dialogue, the Cross-Border CSO Security Forum took centre stage, signalling a shift from purely military responses toward community-led, […]

At the Akayet Hotel in Bolgatanga, voices from Ghana, Burkina Faso, and Togo converged for the 7th Northern Ghana Security Dialogue and Cross-Border Civil Society Organizations (CSO) Forum, convened by STAR-Ghana Foundation under the Strengthening Systems for Resilience against Extremism (SURE) Project. The gathering brought together state and non-state actors, traditional authorities, and civil society […]

STAR-Ghana Foundation invites applications from qualified and experienced professionals for the position of Finance and Administration Manager. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a dynamic, multi-donor environment by strengthening financial management systems, enhancing operational efficiency, and upholding the highest standards of accountability and compliance. We are seeking a strategic and highly organized […]

In the remote border communities of Northern Ghana, the fabric of social cohesion is both a cherished tradition and a frontline defence. Where unemployment, inequality, and isolation can create fractures, the strength of community bonds determines resilience. This understanding is at the heart of the Strengthening Systems for Resilience Against Extremism (SURE) Project, implemented by […]

How the SURE Project is Creating Pathways to Economic Empowerment and Strengthening Community Resilience in Northern Ghana In the remote border communities of Northern Ghana, daily life is shaped by both tradition and uncertainty. These communities, positioned close to Ghana’s northern frontier with Burkina Faso, serve as vital cultural and economic gateways. Yet their proximity […]

As Ghana continues to navigate political transitions, sustaining peace and security remains a shared national priority. In this publication, Eunice R. Agbenyadzi and Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu reflect on why the Northern Ghana Security Dialogue has endured across governments, and the lessons it offers for building initiatives that thrive beyond political transitions.  Read the full article https://star-ghana.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Northern-Ghana-Security-Dialogue-Building-Beyond-Political-Transition.pdf

AbstractThis article presents an in-depth analysis of STAR-Ghana Foundation’s Volunteerism Project (June 2024–May 2025), which engaged 446 community volunteers through eighteen civil society organizations (CSOs) across Ghana. By deploying volunteers as catalysts for change across six thematic areas, the project demonstrated the power of citizen-led action to advance inclusive, sustainable development. We reflect on the […]

Over the past two months,1,500 beneficiaries of economic skills training under our Building Resilience Against Violent Extremism (BRAVE II) project have been sharpening their skills across diverse trades through hands-on training led by dedicated trainers.Beyond the training sessions, beneficiaries have transitioned into active production and sales of their products. The range of products include smock […]

Limited access to economic resources of marginalized social groups makes them easy targets of exploitation by violent extremists. Through our Building Resilience Against Violent Extremism (BRAVE II) project, Social Initiative for Literacy and Development Programme (SILDEP) in the Upper West Region mobilized 750 beneficiaries from five project communities into 25 Village Savings and Loan Association […]

The Sirigu Women’s Organization for Pottery and Art (SWOPA) a women-led organization in the Upper-East Region of Ghana was part of 19 awardees across the world that successfully graduated from the Carol Bellamy Leadership Award (CBLA). The virtual graduation ceremony held on November 26 was to celebrate the achievements of the CBLA 2024-25 edition awardees, […]

We are learning from our implementation of the Building Resilience Against Violent Extremism (BRAVE II) that social cohesion initiatives are most effective when they are culturally grounded and inclusive. Trained community peacebrokers in 10 border communities in the Upper East and Upper West Regions guided their communities design and host traditional food and culture durbars […]

Prior to benefiting from the BRAVE I livelihood skills initiative, Kuusanang Daina, a mother and resident of Fielmuo was an unemployed housewife. Her lack of income contributed to household tensions between she and her husband. Daina ‘s parents are still in Burkina Faso, and she has had to support them from afar. This increased her […]

STAR-Ghana Foundation has once again reinforced its commitment to locally led development by demonstrating that philanthropy, when driven by citizens themselves, can be a practical and powerful tool for social change. Through its Staff Giving Project, employees of the Foundation voluntarily mobilised resources to support the Village of Hope, an orphanage located in Ghana’s Central […]

As Ghana continues to evolve within a rapidly changing development landscape, the 2025 Ghana Philanthropy Conference (GPC25) is set to bring together leading voices and organisations in philanthropy across Africa, business, government, civil society, and academia to re-examine the future of giving. Scheduled as a two-day in-person event with live virtual participation, this year’s conference […]

The Civil Society Organizations (CSO) Platform on Constitutional Reforms will officially launch on Friday, November 7, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. This important event is aimed at fostering inclusive dialogue, citizen participation, and evidence-based advocacy around constitutional reform processes. The platform brings together diverse CSOs, and thought leaders committed to promoting democratic governance, […]

How Naabans Foundation is inspiring change through resource mobilisation, women’s empowerment, and community development. Naabans Foundation began its journey under the Catalyst Fund and has since grown into its second phase — one of the youngest organizations within the CSSF portfolio. Their work is rooted in the community. The team spends time with local groups, […]

By Eunice R. Agbenyadzi               What if peacebuilding is not about only security? Across northern Ghana, communities are sending a powerful message: they do not seek violence; they seek the dignity of work and the means to provide for themselves and their families. This call challenges us to rethink peacebuilding and […]

The Rural Aid Alliance Foundation (RAAF), a non-political, non-profit NGO based in Takoradi, is steadily transforming its operations and impact through the Civil Society Strengthening Facility (CSSF). With a clear plan and commitment, RAAF has been able to implement several activities, despite encountering a few challenges along the way. The journey so far has been encouraging, showing […]

When a consultant once described Human Rights and Development Services (HURDS) as “a child in need,” it reflected the organisation’s struggles before joining the Civil Society Strengthening Fund (CSSF). Limited systems, no finance officer, and weak structures threatened its sustainability. But just a few years later, HURDS has transformed into a confident, visible, and resilient civil society organisation charting […]

For the Women Support and Activist Group (WOSAG), the Civil Society Strengthening Fund (CSSF) under the Shift the Power programme came as a lifeline. When Samiha Yunus joined as Executive Director in February 2025, the organisation was struggling to stay afloat—under-resourced, with only two staff managing operations and finance, and without an up-to-date strategic plan. The CSSF grant marked […]

For over two decades, Songtaba has been at the forefront of advocating for women’s rights and empowering underserved communities in Northern Ghana. But like many civil society organisations, the group has felt the pinch of dwindling donor funding and shifting aid priorities. Now, with support from the Civil Society Strengthening Fund (CSSF), Songtaba is charting a bold new […]

In Tamale, Northern Ghana, URBANET is writing a new chapter in its 22-year journey of supporting vulnerable groups and smallholder farmers. Through the Civil Society Strengthening Fund (CSSF) under the Civil Society Strengthening Programme (CSSP) – implemented by STAR-Ghana Foundation (SGF) and the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), with funding from Comic Relief and […]

When the Civil Society Strengthening Programme – Shifting the Power (CSSP–StP) took off, School for Life (SfL) in Tamale embraced the opportunity with optimism and caution. “When we set out with the CSSP programme, we went through the inception phase. We have come far and so much has changed from then to now,” reflects Wedad Sayibu, Director […]