STAR Ghana Foundation in response to the global call of support in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic has launched a managed call to support selected CSOs to complement efforts by government and other stakeholders to prevent the spread of the virus, and mitigate the effects and risks of the pandemic on vulnerable and marginalised social groups.

The virtual launch, which formally outdoors the Foundation’s COVID-19 Response Projects was held on Tuesday, 28th April 2020 on the theme: `The Role of Civil Society in the fight against the COVID-19 Pandemic.` The event was streamed live on Microsoft Teams and on Facebook via the accounts of STAR Ghana Foundation and that of two major media partners: Citi Fm and Joy News Channel.

The Executive Director of STAR Ghana Foundation, Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu presented an overview of the project and expressed appreciation to the funders of the Project – Department for International Development (DFID), Ghana.

“In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic particularly in Ghana, STAR Ghana Foundation approached  DFID our main donor for support, in order to work with other civil society partners to respond to the pandemic…to mitigate the impact of the pandemic on especially venerable people. With funding of approximately 4.8 million Ghana Cedis from DFID and other donors, STAR Ghana Foundation is working in partnership with other strategic partners, who will also work with a number of sub-partners to roll out the project across the length and breadth of this country”

He recounted the objectives of the STAR Ghana Foundation’s intervention as follows:

• Increase access to accurate, timely, inclusive and relevant information on Covid-19 and response actions
• Inclusion and active participation of GESI-groups in all stages of the pandemic fight (value-chain)
• Increase the transparency, responsiveness, and accountability around the development and implementation of Covid-19 response plans, including the utilisation of resources across the country
• Document and share the learning around CSO support in the Covid-19 response

Speaking on the theme: The Role of Civil Society in the fight against the COVID-19 Pandemic, Nana Asantewa Afadzinu, Executive Director of the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) proposed eight key solutions to the fight against the pandemic from the CSO front. These included the call for flexible partnership, better coordination, and collaboration among CSOs. She commended STAR Ghana Foundation for the initiative and called for the support of the government and the private sector in the implementation of the project.

“ We need to build partnerships between civil society and other development stakeholders, and have a broader understanding of who makes up civil society and how they could effectively work together… once again, let me commend STAR Ghana Foundation for this initiative. We call on government and the private sector to support this project”

Mr. Peter Yeboah, Executive Director of the Christian Health Association of Ghana, speaking on behalf of the project grant partners presented a statement of partnership. He expressed an appreciation to STAR Ghana Foundation and its donors for providing an opportunity and space for civil society to be actively involved in the fight against COVID-19.

“May I express my appreciation to STAR Ghana Foundation and its collaborators the UKAID for acting as a convenor, moderator, and partners for civil society inclusion in the fight against COVID-19."

The Chair of the Governing Council of STAR Ghana Foundation, Dr. Esther Ofei-Aboagye in her closing remarks expressed her gratitude to UKAID and all the partners and organisers of the event after she had shared a summary of her learning from the event. She said:

“Ladies and gentlemen, it has become abundantly clear from all the submissions that have been made in this room that there are things to be done. Three big things… education; decentralization of efforts; and mobilization of efforts and resources. Education is critical and we need to understand that there are people who are still in absolute denial… there’s a lot of of work to be done by decentralization of effort not only by government but even in civil society… we must work assiduously to get to the lowest level possible and this is where the principle of subsidiarity is very important. Anything that can be done at the community level, we should allow it to be done at that level and in that process we are able to utilise our resources optimally.”

The event was moderated by Teiko Sabah, Ag. Head of Policy and Programmes, STAR Ghana Foundation.