A leading research and public policy think tank, CUTS International Accra, is calling on government to provide urgent public funding support for civil society organisations (CSOs), warning that the country risks weakening its governance and policy systems if the current funding challenges persist.

The call was contained in a statement issued in Accra on March 29, 2026, by Appiah Kusi Adomako, Director of the West Africa Regional Centre of CUTS International Accra.

Mr Adomako said CSOs in Ghana have relied heavily on foreign donor funding for more than six decades, a situation he described as unsustainable. “For more than six decades, civil society organizations in Ghana have been largely sustained by foreign donors,” he stated. “The result is a funding squeeze that now threatens the very survival of independent CSOs and, by extension, the quality of our public discourse and policy-making process.”

He explained that as Ghana’s democratic institutions have matured, many traditional donors have shifted their focus to countries facing instability, leading to a steady decline in funding for advocacy and governance work in Ghana.

According to him, civil society remains central to the country’s socio-economic development. He described CSOs as “the fifth estate of our republic,” noting that their work has contributed to major reforms, including the passage of laws such as the Right to Information Act, the Public Financial Management Act, the Public Holidays and Commemorative Days (Amendment) Act, 2025, and the Road Traffic Amendment Act, 2025.

Mr Adomako warned that a weak civil society would reduce accountability and affect policy decisions in critical sectors such as education, healthcare, consumer and environmental protection, and public finance.

He further cautioned that declining funding poses broader risks.

“When independent CSOs cannot access reliable domestic funding, some cease to exist, others chase narrow political or foreign agendas, and a vacuum emerges that can be filled by lobby groups or foreign intelligence interests,” he said, adding that “he who pays the piper calls the tune.”

He stressed the need for Ghana to take ownership of its research and advocacy agenda, noting that reliance on external funding allows foreign priorities to shape domestic issues, often sidelining key areas such as consumer protection, healthcare access, and education reform.

To address the challenge, Mr Adomako proposed that government fund CSOs through transparent and independent mechanisms. He cited the STAR Ghana Foundation as a model, recommending that funding be allocated competitively based on clear criteria and in compliance with public financial management and procurement laws.

He suggested that government allocate at least GH¢10 million annually through such a mechanism to support research and advocacy in priority areas including education, healthcare, road safety, governance, climate resilience, and consumer protection. He added that accountability measures such as public disclosure of grants and annual audits by the Auditor-General should be enforced.

Mr Adomako also called on the private sector to increase support for civil society, noting that corporate Ghana has shown limited interest in funding CSO activities. He proposed tax incentives to allow companies and individuals to deduct donations to accredited CSOs from taxable income.

He warned that failure to act could have long-term implications. “If we continue to outsource the funding of our research and advocacy agenda to external actors, matters central to Ghanaian livelihoods will never remain donor priorities,” he said.

As the president prepares to engage civil society leaders at the Jubilee House, Mr. Adomako urged a firm commitment to sustainable domestic funding. “We have come too far in building our democratic institutions to allow civil society organizations to wither for lack of local ownership,” he stated, adding that such a commitment would represent strategic nation-building.

CUTS International Accra focuses on consumer protection, efficient and competitive markets, road safety, international trade, economic policy, education, and healthcare.