Ghana Philanthropy Conference 2025 Calls for Stronger Domestic Giving to Drive National Development

Leaders from civil society, government, and Africa’s philanthropic community have underscored the urgent need for stronger domestic resource mobilization and coordinated local giving to accelerate Ghana’s development.

 This call was made at the Ghana Philanthropy Conference (GPC) 2025, held under the theme “Repositioning Domestic Resource Mobilization as a Catalyst for Accelerating Development.”

 The annual convening, organized by STAR-Ghana Foundation and its partners, has entered its third year and is fast becoming one of the country’s foremost platforms for shaping philanthropy and resource mobilisation.

 This year’s edition focuses on the shifting landscape of African philanthropy, where declining external aid is placing greater responsibility on homegrown giving, innovative financing models, and new partnerships.

 The Executive Director of STAR-Ghana Foundation, Amidu Ibrahim Tanko, in his opening address, stated that the conference has evolved into a national umbrella platform that harmonizes previously fragmented conversations around giving.

 “What Ghana Philanthropy Conference has done has been to bring together those who had previously been convening separate activities,” he said, stressing that the collective goal is to “chart a way forward for our development priorities” and determine how to sustainably mobilize resources across national, regional, and local levels.

Mr Tanko highlighted the importance of forging stronger partnerships across civil society, government, the private sector, and donors. Historically, he noted, civil society often positioned itself apart from other actors, but today’s context demands collaboration.

 “We need to ensure that civil society, government, private sector, and donor partners are working around common issues, he added.

 The Executive Director of the African Philanthropy Network (APN), Dr. Stigmata Tenga, described the conference as a reflection of Africa’s mission to reclaim indigenous forms of giving as a driver of social and economic transformation.

 “The philanthropy we’re talking about is domestic philanthropy,” she said, stressing the need for an ecosystem that brings together philanthropy support organizations, civil society, government, and the private sector.

 Dr Tenga highlighted the collapse of the traditional aid system, noting that aid cuts and inward-looking policies among donor nations since 2020 have devastated communities and civil society organizations.

 “While profoundly difficult, this decline represents an opportunity. An opportunity that organizers are pushing to realize through this meeting,” she said.

 She also linked the conference theme to Ghana’s national vision of Ghana Beyond Aid, calling it timely and strategically aligned with the country’s long-term development aspirations.

 The CEO of the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA), Alex Mould, called for the establishment of a national architecture to coordinate philanthropic mobilization and connect local giving to national priorities.

 “For many years, Ghana has had passionate civil society organizations, generous philanthropists, and committed development partners,” he said. “What we have not had is a coordinated national focal point.”

 Mr Mould stressed that while Ghana has no shortage of good ideas, the lack of systems to streamline and scale them has hindered impact.

“Money flows to where there’s certainty, transparency, and accountability,” he cautioned, adding that sustainable, impactful proposals will always attract funding when these conditions are met.

 Representing the government, Deputy Chief of Staff (Administration), Nana Oye Bampoe Addo, stated that domestic resource mobilisation has become the critical determinant of Ghana’s fiscal independence amid shrinking foreign aid and tougher global financing conditions.

 She cited deep structural leakages, including tax evasion, illicit financial flows, corruption, and illegal mining, as major barriers to resource mobilization.

“We have many countries reducing charity aid and grants, and so we don’t have any option. We have to reassess and strengthen how we mobilize and utilize our natural resources for fairer, faster growth,” she said

Ms Bampoe Addo emphasized that strong domestic resource systems will enhance local content, strengthen fiscal sovereignty, and support more inclusive development.