Second Ghana Philanthropy Conference on volunteerism opened in Accra

The second edition of the Ghana Philanthropy Conference has been opened in Accra with a focus on spotlighting volunteerism as a means to contribute to community and national development and create a thriving society for all.

STAR-Ghana Foundation facilitated the two-day conference in partnership with a consortium of organisations including the Ghana Philanthropy Forum, West Africa Civil Society Institute and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection among others.

The conference on the theme: “Volunteerism as Civic Action”, brought together representatives from Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), advocates and public sector actors to spotlight volunteerism as a key component of philanthropy.

Speaking on the conference theme at its opening, Reverend Father Andrew Campbel, a Catholic Priest, indicated that every individual had the power to effect change in society through volunteerism.

He observed that volunteerism is a civic responsibility of all and a vital tool for causing positive change in society.

“Talking about volunteerism, I'm reminded of the many individuals who have shown that the power to affect change is in each and every one of us.

The power of volunteerism is an act of goodwill and a vital civic duty, a duty that binds us together as a community”, he indicated.

Rev. Campbel encouraged members of the public to volunteer their time or resources to good courses as that could bring fulfilment, peace and happiness to them.

He explained that volunteerism could be in the form of giving to the needy and inspiring hope among people and added that all what people had were gifts from God and should be given back to God.

"The happiest people in the world are the people who share, who give, who volunteer... Give your time, your money.

Unfortunately, our young people have to be taught to give, there is a change in society with our young people today”, he observed.

Mr Charles Abugri, the Vice-chairperson of STAR-Ghana Foundation Governing Council, indicated that paying attention to the needs of others in society and working collectively and voluntarily for the public good was important in creating a civil society.

Talking about volunteerism, he explained that “it is not just the giving of money, it is the giving of time, it is the giving of effort, it is the creation of space for others, and this time giving and paying attention to needs within your community also contributes to a civil society.”

Mr Abugri observed the government's inability to target resources and interventions for specific courses including supporting the needy because it lacked the tools to target.

He, therefore, suggested that the government could provide the right incentives for the civil society actors who had the right tools to target in order to ensure the right intervention reached the right people.