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 […]

In the dry Savannah landscape of Ghana’s Upper East Region, opportunity is often shaped by geography. Communities are dispersed, economic activity is seasonal, and livelihoods depend heavily on rain-fed agriculture. During the long dry season, income sources shrink, and young people, especially women, face limited options. In this context, vulnerability to economic distress, social exclusion, […]

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 […]

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, […]

Six border communities in the Upper East Region have benefited from Livelihood Projects; satellite farms with mechanized boreholes, fitted with generators and accessories for constant water supply. The beneficiary border communities are Pusiga, Kulungungu, Pulimakuam, Mognori, Paga, and Namoo. The establishment of the satellite farms at the border communities come at the back of the […]

In times where weak school structures are collapsing and killing pupils, a 94-year-old retired teacher, Madam Alexina Adjah Cudjoe has donated her pension benefits to JoyNews to support The Multimedia Group’s Classroom Project.  Her donation comes after Multimedia launched an initiative to mobilize public support and local resources to help two communities to rehabilitate and […]

Adjabu Advisors, evaluators of the second phase of the STAR-Ghana Programme found that the programme produced significant outcomes in five themed areas: Access and quality of public services; Economic rights and empowerment; Gender equality and social inclusion; Improved accountability and transparency; Free and peaceful elections. This was contained in the report of the evaluation of the STAR-Ghana 2 programme (2015-2020) commissioned […]

The Youth Parliament (YP) Project was started by Saboba Youth and was later adopted by Youth Empowerment for Life and implemented in five districts in Northern Region, namely: Saboba, Sagnarigu, Yendi, Nanumba North and South Districts. The project main goal was to ensure that there were increased effective youth and gender inclusiveness in local governing […]

The Centre for Active Learning and Integrated Development (CALID) located in the Tamale Metropolis of the Northern Region is an Anti-Corruption partner working on the project “Fighting Unapproved Charges for Health Services (FUChaSS)”. The challenge of fighting corruption is not the absence of legislative framework, but the selective application and enforcement of the status and weaknesses […]

Once upon a time, chiefs ruled communities in Ghana. They were the final authorities and enacted laws that governed the people. Over time, the political governance system became institutionalized taking over the traditional rule. None the less, chiefs still wield powers within the communal structures such that to ensure a sustainable social change in a […]

STAR Ghana Foundation, as part of its non-grant strategy, has built a strong network of transformational leaders in the Ghanaian civil society space with technical support from NKUM Associates. Speaking at a brief graduation ceremony held on Wednesday 25th September 2019 in Ho as part of the third and final module of the programme, Rev John […]

Since 1992 when Ghana ushered in multi-party politics, Ghana has held seven (7) parliamentary and presidential elections and six (6) district level elections, yet, women’s representation in decision making, in both local and national levels have failed to reach the 30% UN recommended minimum threshold in women’s representation in decision making. The adoption of decentralisation […]

What we have done We have supported civil society organisations through grants and technical assistance, and convened meetings and discussions. We have launched major funding calls on gender equality and social inclusion, media, anti-corruption, and local governance, and supported work under strategic opportunity calls. We enabled 87 civil society organisations to mobilise and support citizens to take […]

Community journalists and representatives of the GPRTU of TUC, Cattle Owners Association, Women groups and representatives of Zonal Councils within the East Gonja Municipal Assembly (EGMA) have been trained to use mobile technology to enhance revenue collection and monitor the utilization of same in the District. The training forms part of activities of the “Enhancing Participation […]

Today, Saturday, 15th September marks the United Nations’ International Day of Democracy. Our partners through their work are working actively to strengthen democracy in Ghana. We bring you excerpts of our work with our partner Youth Empowerment for Life (YEfL) in strengthening democratic structures at the local level.. Through their work in the northern region […]

Latifa is a Sixteen (16) year old Junior High School three pupil who hails from Yaru-Naah a farming community in the WA East District of the Upper West Region. Her dream of becoming a nurse was nearly cut short due to child marriage if not for the timely intervention of CDA-Ghana, a Gender Equality and […]

Community Volunteers and administrators of the major Government hospitals in the Tamale Metro of the Northern Region of Ghana have been trained to use short messaging services (SMS) on their mobile phones to report and respond to issues affecting service delivery in the respective hospitals. The training was organized by Centre for Active Learning and […]

Community Volunteers and Officers in charge of the implementation of the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) at the Bole and Sawla Districts of the Northern Region of Ghana have been trained to use short messaging services (SMS) on their mobile phones to report and respond to issues affecting beneficiaries and service providers of the GSFP. […]

My name is Zolle Rukaya, I am 19 years old and was born in Du-west a community in the Sissala West District in the Upper West Region. I started my basic school in Du-west. My parents were very supportive, though not rich they tried very hard to provide my basic needs and everything I needed to […]

The Civil Society Movement on Social Inclusion condemns the act of violent misconduct by a Police Officer against a woman at the Midland Savings and Loans Branch in Accra which reportedly occurred on Thursday 19th July 2018. A video that surfaced online on Friday, 20th July, 2018 showing an armed police officer named Frederick Amanor […]

In Ghana, traditional leaders have a lot of influence over their subjects. They are crucial change agents, especially in small communities. Our Partner, Voice-Ghana, a Ho based disability interest NGO, targeted them (chiefs) in its project dubbed “Stronger Voice” under the Gender Quality and Social Inclusion Call. The 12-months long project, linked up Self-Help groups of […]

Our partner, Skyy Media Group has supported the Wassa East District Assembly, in the Western region to build a GESI responsive digital album on Persons with Disabilities. The album which categorises the various forms and specific disability also captures the specific needs of each person with disability. A total of 1,200 people in Wassa East […]

STAR-Ghana partners share results, lessons and opportunities As part of our 3Cs and L (Convening, Catalyzing, Coordinating and Learning) role, STAR-Ghana in collaboration with its grant partners organized a partners’ learning event in a bit to harvest the significant achievements, emerging opportunities, key lessons and challenges (four 3s) and processes grant partners used in their […]

Community Mental Health Volunteers and relevant Duty Bearers (Mental Health Officer and Officers of Department of Social Development) in the Twifo Atti-morkwa, Ajumako/Enyan/ Essiam and Abura/ Asebu/ Kwamankese Districts of the Central Region of Ghana have been trained to use short messaging services (SMS) on their mobile phones to report and respond to issues affecting […]