GACC report cites apathy, illiteracy as challenges facing Civil society activities in Ghana

Apathy and illiteracy have been found to be some of the key factors militating against civil society activism in the country.

According to findings of a report released by the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC)  a lot of people have become highly disinterested in pertinent issues that directly affect them.

At a briefing to share findings of the research conducted by the GACC into civil society activities in Ghana, Mr Roland Akabzaa, Research Officer at the GACC  said "a lot of people sit unconcerned with whatever goes on around them."

"Majority of people are uneducated. Thus they feel that participation, especially in political affairs, is a business for the educated only," he stated.

The research-Civil Society index- Rapid assessment project, Ghana, was sponsored by CIVICUS, a world alliance for citizen participation with support from its local partners, West Africa Civil Society Institute(WACSI).

The research was to assess the impact of civil society activities in Ghana as well as supporting the activities of civil society groups in the country.

Mr Roland Akabzaa
Mr Akabzaa mentioned trade unions and the media as the most powerful civil society groups in the country with issues about  good governance and education as the major areas of concern.

While recognizing the contribution of civil society groups in influencing public discussions and policies on Petroleum Revenue Management Act, Presidential Transitional Act, Education Act, Complementary Education Policy and the Disability Act, the report indicated that civil society groups could have achieved far more than they have done over the past few years.

The report also cited low salaries, temporary staff with no social protection and general lack of progression within the organisation as some of the major challenges affecting the groups in the country.

Contrary to perception that the groups are facing financial challenges, the report indicated that over 56 per cent of civil society groups are "financially healthy".

That notwithstanding, the groups believe their sources of funding will dwindle in the next few years, as donors contemplate withdrawing their funds.

The report called for citizen empowerment through constant engagements and community interventions as some of the ways of educating the citizens and preventing apathy.