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“Civil Society is a Strategic Partner in Nation-Building”: Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama Calls for Stronger Partnerships

July 30, 2026 In Newsroom By

“Civil Society is a Strategic Partner in Nation-Building”: Ghana’s President John Dramani Mahama Calls for Stronger Partnerships

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[Accra, Ghana | 28 June 2026] — His Excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana, has called for stronger collaboration between government and civil society, emphasising that inclusive development and democratic consolidation require trust, partnership and shared responsibility. 

The President made the call on 25 June 2026, at the Fourth Ghana Civil Society Forum (GCSF2026), held in Accra under the theme “Reimagining Partnerships for Democratic Consolidation and Inclusive Development.”  

The two-day forum which took place from 25 to 26 June in Accra, brought together more than 800 participants from civil society organisations, government, academia, development partners, the private sector and the media to explore practical pathways for strengthening Ghana’s democratic institutions and development processes. 

The forum was jointly organised by the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), STAR-Ghana Foundation, Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, Oxfam in Ghana, the Media Foundation for West Africa, the Centre for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), NORSAAC, Transparency International Ghana, the Ghana Monitoring and Evaluation Forum and the Ghana Developing Communities Association. 

His excellency John Dramani Mahama, President of the Republic of Ghana

Addressing participants as Special Guest of Honour, President Mahama reaffirmed the importance of civil society as an active partner in national development. 

“Our government sees civil society as a strategic partner in nation-building, not an adversary.” 

He stressed that sustainable development must be rooted in community ownership and meaningful participation, noting: 

“I believe that effective development can only be achieved when it is done with, and owned by, the communities it serves.” 

The President further called on stakeholders to embrace innovation and collective responsibility in addressing national challenges. 

“Future generations will not judge us by the challenges we inherited, but by the solutions we created.” 

His remarks echoed a central theme of the forum: that democratic progress requires more than institutions and policies; it depends on active citizenship, accountability and partnerships that place communities at the centre of decision-making. 

Delivering the opening keynote address, governance expert Dr Esther Offei-Aboagye challenged participants to view democracy beyond elections, highlighting the importance of inclusion and participation. 

“Democracy is not sustained by ballots alone; it is sustained by inclusion, participation and collective responsibility.” 

The discussions aligned closely with WACSI’s commitment to strengthening civil society organisations across West Africa to become more resilient, sustainable and influential actors in governance and development. 

Charles Kojo VanDyck, Head,  Capacity Development at WACSI, moderating the plenary session

During the forum, Charles Kojo VanDyck, Head,  Capacity Development at WACSI, moderated the plenary session on “Financing for Inclusive and Sustainable Development,” which explored innovative financing approaches to support locally led development and strengthen the sustainability of civil society organisations.

The institute also facilitated an interactive masterclass on “Mindshift for Change: Local Resource Mobilisation,” led by Melissa Juisi, Programme Assistant, Capacity Development at WACSI. 

The session encouraged participants to rethink traditional funding approaches and explore practical strategies for mobilising local resources, strengthening community ownership and building more sustainable organisations. 

The conversations reinforced WACSI’s belief that shifting power in development requires stronger local institutions, diversified financing models and partnerships grounded in mutual accountability. 

Melissa Juisi, Programme Assistant, Capacity Development at WACSI. 

As Ghana and the wider West African region navigate changing development realities, WACSI remains committed to equipping civil society organisations with the capacity, knowledge and networks needed to influence policies, advance accountability and drive locally led solutions. 

The Fourth Ghana Civil Society Forum concluded with a renewed commitment to building partnerships that empower citizens and strengthen democratic development across Ghana. 

 

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FIIFI BOATENG

Fiifi is a Ghanaian and currently serves as Communications and Information Officer at the West Africa Civil Society Institute. He joined the Institute in December 2020.

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NANCY KANKAM KUSI

Nancy is a Ghanaian and currently serves as Programme Officer in the Knowledge Management unit at the West Africa Civil Society Institute. She joined the Institute in January 2021.

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Prince Akowuah is a Ghanaian and currently the Programme Assistant in the Translation Unit at the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). She joined the Institute in 2020.

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Maxwell Apenteng is a Ghanaian and joined WACSI in September 2010. He provides gardening and janitorial services at the Institute.

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George Adu-Mintah is a Ghanaian and currently the Protocol Assistant/Driver at the West Africa Civil Society (WACSI). He joined the Institute in October 2006.

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IBRAHIM KWAKU GBADAGO

Ibrahim Kwaku Gbadago is a Ghanaian. He joined the Institute in 2008 and provides janitorial services and assisting the institute's errands. Before joining the Institute, he worked at the Palestinian embassy in Accra, Ghana.

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RUTH YAKANA

Ruth Yakana is from Cameroon and currently the Receptionist at the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). She joined the Institute in 2020.

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BETHEL KWAME BOATENG

Bethel is a Ghanaian. He provides technical and IT related support to the Institute. He joined the Institute in October 2006.

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WHITNAY SEGNONNA

Whitnay Segnonna holds a Bachelor’s Degree in International Management from the University of Benin. With 2 years of experience, she has a strong knowledge of organizational and project management. Combined with her bilingualism, she is very passionate about her work. She joined WACSI as Project Assistant on Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) for the Capacity Development Unit.

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STELLA YAWA WOWOUI

Stella Yawa Wowoui holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Translation Studies. She has a perfect grasp of both French and English, as well as an intermediate level in Spanish. She is currently working as a Project Assistant on the Techsoup Project.

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Kwame is an experienced IT Consultant/Software Developer. He is skilled in Web Applications Development, Digital Security, Database Management, Digital Marketing and Brand Management. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in Information Technology and is a Microsoft Programme Alumni. He is currently serving as a Marketing and IT Officer on the Techsoup Project.

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GRACE AKPENE ZIGGAH

Grace Akpene Ziggah is a Togolese and currently the Logistics Officer and also assists in administration duties at the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). She joined the Institute in June 2009.

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LILLIAN DAFEAMEKPOR

Lilian Dafeamekpor is a Ghanaian and currently the Assistant to the Executive Director at the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). She joined the Institute in 2020.

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JOHN P. FRINJUAH

John P. Frinjuah has expertise and interests in civil society, international development, democracy and governance, conflict, crisis, and security. He has extensive experience working with civil society and international development organizations where he supported and managed research, programmes, and provided technical assistance on a variety of themes around public policy, governance, and development. He is an alumnus of the University of Ghana and the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy - Tufts University in the United States, with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Master of Arts in Law and Diplomacy from two institutions respectively. John speaks English, French and several Ghanaian and regional West Africa languages.

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GERVIN CHANASE

Gervin has extensive international development experience, including 5 years of policy advocacy and capacity building of grass root organisations. He has implemented over the years a combination of agriculture value chain, livelihood, food security and governance and rights programmes.
Prior to joining WACSI, Gervin worked on two USAID projects focusing on agriculture value chain development and governance in northern Ghana
Gervin holds a master’s degree in development & Governance from the University of Duisburg-Essen, Germany as well as a Masters in Global Studies from the Universities of Vienna (Austria), Leipzig (Germany) and California (Santa Barbara), USA. He is passionate social justice and inclusion.

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LEANDRE BANON

Leandre Banon, Beninese, joined WACSI in September 2014 as Capacity Development Programme Assistant. Since then, he has worked in various units within the Institute to support operational and institutional capacity strengthening programmes for civil society in the region. Currently serving as Capacity Development Programme Officer at WACSI, his main responsibilities involve designing, planning, implementing and monitoring capacity development programmes for civil society constituents and grouping across the West Africa. Leandre is a certified Change the Game Academy Programme Trainer. His background lies in the areas of economics and development planning.

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SAMUEL APPIAH

Samuel Appiah is a Ghanaian and currently the Programme Officer in the Finance and Administrative Unit at the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). He joined the Institute in May, 2016.

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JIMM CHICK FOMUNJONG

Jimm Chick Fomunjong, Cameroonian, joined WACSI in May 2018 as the Head of the Knowledge Management and Communication Units of the Institute. He has over ten years’ experience as a journalist and a development communications expert. He has a vast experience in supporting African organisations to strengthen their internal and external communications, building and sustaining relationships with the media and, leveraging on the power of social media to promote their mission. He is also excellent at supporting organisations to set up and operationalise functional communications and knowledge management systems. He has a deep passion and expertise in supporting Africans and African civil society organisations to document their praxis, share and learn from experiences documented from the African civil society sector.

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FRANCK A. SOMBO

Franck Sombo is a development practitioner with the drive to lead self and others to influence productivity and efficiency. His work involves supporting organisations to develop strategic plans, design monitoring and evaluation systems, develop and use relevant performance measurement tools to track progress, assess organizational growth and institutionalise learning. Franck has eight years of experience working with WACSI where he currently serves as the Head, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning. His academic qualifications include Masters in Organisations’ and Projects’ Management, and in Business Sciences and a High National Diploma in Finance and Accounting.

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OMOLARA T. BALOGUN

Omolara is a development practitioner and advocacy strategist with over 15 years of progressive experience in development programming targeted at strengthening civil society in West Africa.

She joined WACSI in November 2009 as a Regional Advocacy Consultant and later became the first Policy Advocacy Officer of the Institute in 2010.

She was promoted to Head of the Policy Influencing and Advocacy (PIA) Unit in 2015. As the Head of the PIA unit, Omolara offers strategic direction to the Institutes’ ambitions to connect and convene groups of organised and organic civil society actors; and influence regional and global discourses on crosscutting policy issues including—civil society regulations, sustainable development goals, civic space and enabling environment, aid effectiveness, gender equality, and civil society accountability.

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KWABENA KRODUAH

Kwabena Kroduah is a Ghanaian and currently heads the Finance Unit at the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). He joined the Institute in January 2008.

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CHARLES KOJO VANDYCK

Charles currently serves as the Head of the Capacity Development Unit at the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). Charles has over 10 years of experience working in international development and social justice issues in Africa. Charles has expertise in strengthening civil society and public agencies including the design and implementation of governance and leadership programmes, development of knowledge pieces and policy advice. Charles was the founding Board Chair of Innovation for Change (i4C)-Hub Afrique, as well as the founding member of the International Consortium on Closing Civic Space (iCon), an initiative of the Centre for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) in Washington DC. Charles currently serves as the Member of the Governing Board (Coordination Collective) of Africans Rising. He is a Member of the Development Studies Association, United Kingdom. Charles is a 2017 Stanford University Fellow for Nonprofit Leaders and a certified Change the Game Resource Mobilisation Trainer.

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NANA ASANTEWA AFADZINU

Nana Afadzinu is a Ghanaian and currently serves as the Executive Director of the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI). She joined the Institute in October 2010.

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