The Northern Network for Education Development (NNED) has called for the suspension of the NGO/CSO Coordinating and Harmonizing Operations Framework draft in the education sector.
The group noted that despite the framework promoting “efficiency and a reduction in the duplication of interventions”, its attempt to “regulate NGOs/CSOs may only aim at constricting the NGO/CSO space.”
NNED advised that “GES must be mindful not to undermine the freedoms of CSOs/NGOs since not all of them will be interested in being members of a coalition as proposed.”
Also, “the indication by GES to approve all project proposals of CSOs/NGOs before they secure funding as well as for NGOs/CSOs to disclose their sources of funding and bankers will be a duplication of work.”
The Northern Network for Education Development (NNED) therefore proposed six recommendations on the draft.
It stated that “the softcopy of the draft framework be shared with NGOs/CSOs for fine-tuning as was agreed by participants at the Kumasi meeting.”
“Social Welfare departments and the Register Generals Departments are the legally mandated bodies established by the companies code, 1963(Act179) to register and certify companies including NGOs/CSOs and should as such, be allowed to do so.”
“GES strengthens its structures at the District and Regional levels to perform better in coordinating the activities of NGOs/CSOs rather than the current desire to regulate NGOs/CSOs whose objectives includes demanding accountability from the same GES.”
“That GES’s intention to have all NGOs/CSOs working in Education be a part of a particular coalition as a prerequisite of being permitted to work in the educational sector will be a constriction of the freedom of association as provided by the Ghanaian constitution.”
“Asking that, NGOs/CSOs pay registration fees to GES will be duplication as similar fees are paid by NGOs/CSOs to the Department of Social Welfare and the Registrar General’s Department when renewing their certificates and filing annual returns, respectively. Approaches to achieving synergy and harmony cannot be realized through the current strategy by GES.”
Below is the full release
18th January, 2021
NNED’S POSITION ON THE DRAFT FRAMEWORK FOR COORDINATING AND HARMONIZING THE OPERATIONS OF NGOs/CSOs/FBOs IN THE EDUCATION SECTOR IN GHANA.
After a two-day meeting with the Ghana Education Service (GES) and Ghana National Education Campaign Coalition (GNECC) at the instance of GES in Kumasi on the 17th and 18th December 2020 on the above subject, the Northern Network for Education Development (NNED), made the following observations:
- The idea to coordinate and harmonize the operations of NGOs/CSOs to align with the broad GES objectives and Government Policy for that matter is welcome. NNED believes this will promote efficiency and a reduction in the duplication of interventions as may be the case currently
- NGOs/CSOs have consistently worked with decentralized departments like the District and Regional Education offices, the District Assembly and Social Welfare departments to ensure synergy. Therefore, this current attempt by GES to regulate NGOs/CSOs may only aim at constricting the NGO/CSO space.
In bid to play this coordinating role however, GES must be mindful not to undermine the freedoms of CSOs/NGOs since not all of them will be interested in being members of a coalition as proposed. The indication by GES to approve all project proposals of CSOs/NGOs before they secure funding as well as for NGOs/CSOs to disclose their sources of funding and bankers will be a duplication of work. In light of the above, NNED makes the following recommendations:
- That the softcopy of the draft framework be shared with NGOs/CSOs for fine tuning as was agreed by participants at the Kumasi meeting.
- That the Social Welfare departments and the Register Generals Departments are the legally mandated bodies established by the companies code, 1963(Act179) to register and certify companies including NGOs/CSOs and should as such, be allowed to do so.
- That GES strengthens its structures at the District and Regional levels to perform better in coordinating the activities of NGOs/CSOs rather than the current desire to regulate NGOs/CSOs whose objectives includes demanding accountability from the same GES.
- That GES’s intention to have all NGOs/CSOs working in Education be a part of a particular coalition as a prerequisite of being permitted to work in the educational sector will be a constriction of the freedom of association as provided by the Ghanaian constitution.
- Asking that, NGOs/CSOs pay registration fees to GES will be a duplication as similar fees are paid by NGOs/CSOs to the Department of Social Welfare and the Registrar General’s Department when renewing their certificates and filing annual returns, respectively. Approaches to achieving synergy and harmony cannot be realized through the current strategy by GES.
Considering the important role NGOs/CSOs play in education delivery, we propose that GES, through their District Directorates of Education organize orientation on the Education Strategic Plan for NGOs/CSOs operating in their districts. This will help them have a better understanding of the context and content of the ESP so as to align their programmes appropriately where necessary.
NNED strongly recommends, therefore, that GES suspend the draft
NGO/CSO Coordinating Framework and strengthening the existing arrangement where CSOs submit reports to DEOs and hold annual meetings/fora with same. GES should support its Districts to document the reports CSOs submit to them, so they can process and use the information to inform policy planning.
Mr. Iddi Dokurugu (0200838579)
Vice Chairman
NNED
Submitted to the Director-General, Ghana Education Service, Accra.
Cc:
The Ministry of Education
NNED members
