October 1, 2026 In Newsroom By WACSI
CSOs Turn Challenges into Solutions at Shifting the Power Bootcamp in Ghana
CSOs Turn Challenges into Solutions at Shifting the Power Bootcamp in Ghana
[Akosombo, Ghana 10 September 2026] – Strengthening civil society requires more than strengthening individual skills. It requires organisations to have the systems, leadership, resources, people and relationships needed to sustain their work and exercise influence. It also requires spaces where civil society actors can learn from one another and develop solutions that respond to their own realities.
This was the premise of the first Civil Society Strengthening Bootcamp under the Shifting the Power Programme, which brought together 76 civil society actors from 38 organisations in Ghana from 17 to 21 August 2026.
Held under the theme, “From Challenges to Solutions: Strengthening Civil Society through Peer Learning and Collaborative Problem Solving,” the bootcamp was co-implemented in Ghana by STAR-Ghana Foundation and the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), with support from Comic Relief and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO).
Group Photo from the Bootcamp
What distinguished the bootcamp was its practical, peer-led approach. Rather than relying solely on conventional training, participants worked with anonymised case studies drawn from the organisations participating in the bootcamp. In working groups, they assessed the challenges presented, proposed solutions and shared their recommendations with the wider group. Facilitators then built on these reflections with expert presentations, creating an intensive learning environment grounded in real organisational experiences.
The programme opened with a focus on governance, leadership and organisational culture, facilitated by Michael Ohene-Effah. Participants examined the role of boards and leadership structures in strengthening organisational effectiveness and sustainability.
Michael Ohene Effah, taking a selfie with participants
For Kwame Ansah Baffour, Executive Director of Global Ecovillage Network Ghana, the session offered practical lessons that could be applied within his organisation. “We’ve learned about the importance of the board and how we can strategically make use of the board to help us in our operations and resource mobilisation,” he said.
He noted plans to review the organisation’s board charter, develop a leadership succession plan and regularise board meetings as part of the actions emerging from the session.
Another focus area of the Bootcamp was human resources and organisational policies, led by Esther Ann-Doku, Head of Human Resources at WACSI. Participants reflected on how people and organisational policies influence institutional effectiveness.
Esther addressing participants during an outdoor group session
Alfred Okai, Finance Officer at KidzHouse Media Productions Foundation, described the workforce as an organisation’s most valuable asset. “One key thing that I learned is that for every organisation, our most valuable asset is our workforce,” he said, highlighting the need for policies that safeguard and support staff.
Financial management, compliance and risk also took centre stage, facilitated by financial expert Frederick Asante. Participants explored the importance of sound financial systems and risk management in strengthening organisational resilience.
Gervin Chanase led discussions on programme management and resource mobilisation. Bright Azumah Amadu, Resource Mobilisation Officer at Meta Foundation, said the session challenged the perception that fundraising should be the responsibility of one person.
Gervin Chanase making a submission during a group discussion
“We’ve learned that resource mobilisation should not be the sole work of only the resource mobilisation officer. Resource mobilisation should be teamwork,” he said. He added that his organisation would review its resource mobilisation plan and explore funding sources beyond traditional donor funding.
The final focus of the bootcamp was constituency and solidarity building, communications, visibility and organisational sustainability. Led by Deborah Nana Ama Abbey of WACSI Communications, with support from Ama Baafi of STAR-Ghana Foundation Communications, the session highlighted the importance of effectively communicating organisational impact.
Deborah Nana Ama Abbey engaging participants at the Bootcamp
Alexander Kwesi Yalley, Project Officer at Rural Aid Alliance Foundation, observed: “Having an impactful work is not enough, but actually you need to have a clear way of communicating that impactful work.” He also highlighted lessons on storytelling, the Message House approach and the need for organisational AI policies.
Beyond these cross-cutting themes, the bootcamp produced practical solutions that organisations could adapt to their own contexts. These included using small-scale social enterprises, such as selling trainee-made products and renting facilities, to generate supplementary income; applying layered financial controls, including dual sign-offs, approval thresholds and regular reconciliations, to manage organisational risks; and using the “House” model to communicate impact by connecting a clear core message with credible evidence and a compelling human story. These solutions, developed through peer learning and case-based problem solving, demonstrated the value of moving from identifying organisational challenges to testing practical responses.
Facebook Photo Albums to the Bootcamp below:
Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
About the author
- WACSI
- WACSI
- WACSI
- WACSI
- WACSI
- WACSI
- WACSI
- WACSI
- WACSI
- WACSI
- WACSI
- WACSI
- WACSI
- WACSI
- WACSI
- WACSI
- WACSI
- WACSI
- WACSI
- WACSI
- WACSI
- WACSI
- WACSI
- WACSI
- WACSI
- WACSI
- WACSI
