West Africa
Good Governance Africa - West Africa (GGA-WA) strongly believes that a democratic society with a proactive practice of transparency, accountability and the rule of law is on the right development pathway. GGA-WA, therefore, is deliberate in promoting these ideals in its programmes and activities across different sectors in Ghana and in other selected West African countries.Membership to organisations
The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC)
As an executive member of this coalition, we partner other CSOs that seek to push for fair, open, transparent and accountable governance in all public and private spheres.
CSOs Platform for the Monitoring of the SDGs
As a member of this
platform, GGA-WA and selected
CSOs monitor and report
on the progress of various factors
in the implementation
of the SDGs.
Ghana Urbanisation Think Tank (GUTT)
Membership to the think tank, GUTT, which is facilitated by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development in collaboration with the Urban Management Institute, the Coalition of Urban Transition and the African Centre for Cities, enables us to assist in the deliberations on emerging urban developmental issues in Ghana.
The Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition (GACC)
As an executive member of this coalition, we partner other CSOs that seek to push for fair, open, transparent and accountable governance in all public and private spheres.
CSOs Platform for the Monitoring of the SDGs
As a member of this platform, GGA-WA and selected CSOs monitor and report on the progress of various factors in the implementation of the SDGs.
Ghana Urbanisation Think Tank (GUTT)
Membership to the think tank, GUTT, which is facilitated by the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development in collaboration with the Urban Management Institute, the Coalition of Urban Transition and the African Centre for Cities, enables us to assist in the deliberations on emerging urban developmental issues in Ghana.
Programmes
GGA-WA approaches delivering programmes through research, advocacy, training and publications, and has carefully analysed the developmental pathway of the four countries in which it is implementing its programmes and activities. The following key areas have been identified for its interventions:
Natural Resource Conservation, Protection and Utilization
The West African Sub-region is home to some of the world’s most valuable natural resources. The effective and sustainable management of these resources could propel the region’s development and help reduce poverty. Natural resources form the bedrock of development; socio-economically, culturally and communally, necessitating a focus on conserving, protecting and sustainably utilising these resources. The Regional Office puts particular emphasis on agriculture, mining, energy production and water consumption.
Programmes
GGA-WA approaches delivering programmes through research, advocacy, training and publications, and has carefully analysed the developmental pathway of the four countries in which it is implementing its programmes and activities. The following key areas have been identified for its interventions:
Natural Resource Conservation, Protection and Utilization
The West African Sub-region is home to some of the world’s most valuable natural resources. The effective and sustainable management of these resources could propel the region’s development and help reduce poverty. Natural resources form the bedrock of development; socio-economically, culturally and communally, necessitating a focus on conserving, protecting and sustainably utilising these resources. The Regional Office puts particular emphasis on agriculture, mining, energy production and water consumption.
Peace and Security in the West African Sub-Region
New trends in regional insecurity such as terrorism and extremism; and increased levels of the effects of climate change represent threats to state and societal security. They pose great risks to human safety and survival, presenting an area that must be given considerable attention. The Regional Office focuses on reducing threats to human security by promoting rule of law, advocating stable governmental regimes and transitions, monitoring electoral processes and identifying climate responsible measures for action in Anglophone West Africa.
Trade, Regional and Local Governance
Governance performance across regional and local arenas is paramount for the well-being of citizenry. Strong public institutions and accountable governments invariably improve the situation of states as well as provide a stable background for trade and economic development. To contribute to the achievement of this thematic area, GGA-WARO provides capacity building for local governments and public institutions and facilitates discussions on West African intra and inter regional trade.
Trade, Regional and Local Governance
Governance performance across regional and local arenas is paramount for the well-being of citizenry. Strong public institutions and accountable governments invariably improve the situation of states as well as provide a stable background for trade and economic development. To contribute to the achievement of this thematic area, GGA-WARO provides capacity building for local governments and public institutions and facilitates discussions on West African intra and inter regional trade.
Accountable and Inclusive Governance
Transparent, effective and accountable institutions and respect for human rights provides access to justice, fosters equality and engenders trust among communities and people. GGA-WARO seeks to aid in creating a culture of integrity in service delivery and secure the participation and engagement of citizenry in the governance of jurisdictions in which they find themselves. The Regional Office encourages all citizens to participate in governance, most especially, people with disabilities, women, children and all minority groups.
“Ending poverty and improving lives in a continent so rich in natural resources is highly possible if we systematically get leadership right, institutions to be effective and promote good governance practices across the board.” GGA-WA 2019
Our publications
Implications of high turnover of parliamentarians in Ghana’s government
Ghana’s democracy, hailed as a beacon for Africa, boasts eight successful multi-party elections since its return to constitutional rule in 1993 (Balley, 2020; Alidu, 2019). Over the past three...
GGA-West Africa helps monitor Ghana’s voter registration exercise 2023
The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana is constitutionally mandated to continuously register all eligible Ghanaian citizens aged 18 years and over who had not previously registered to participate in...
Integrating Ghana’s informal sector for growth and development
Irrespective of the difficulties associated with defining the informal sector, it remains an important sector of many national economies and makes significant contributions to the development of...
Implications of high turnover of parliamentarians in Ghana’s government
Ghana’s democracy, hailed as a beacon for Africa, boasts eight successful multi-party elections since its return to constitutional rule in 1993 (Balley, 2020; Alidu, 2019). Over the past three...
GGA-West Africa helps monitor Ghana’s voter registration exercise 2023
The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana is constitutionally mandated to continuously register all eligible Ghanaian citizens aged 18 years and over who had not previously registered to participate in...
Integrating Ghana’s informal sector for growth and development
Irrespective of the difficulties associated with defining the informal sector, it remains an important sector of many national economies and makes significant contributions to the development of...
Building resilient cities: Assessing Ghanaian local authorities management of flooding in selected cities
In the face of climate change effects, building resilient cities is the only option available to city managers. Perennial flooding across the major cities in Africa poses a significant threat to...
News from the region
Quickly access all the latest news, articles and press releases from our centres operating in West Africa
Implications of high turnover of parliamentarians in Ghana’s government
Ghana’s democracy, hailed as a beacon for Africa, boasts eight successful multi-party elections since its return to constitutional rule in 1993 (Balley, 2020; Alidu, 2019). Over the past three...
GGA-West Africa helps monitor Ghana’s voter registration exercise 2023
The Electoral Commission (EC) of Ghana is constitutionally mandated to continuously register all eligible Ghanaian citizens aged 18 years and over who had not previously registered to participate in...
Integrating Ghana’s informal sector for growth and development
Irrespective of the difficulties associated with defining the informal sector, it remains an important sector of many national economies and makes significant contributions to the development of...
Building resilient cities: Assessing Ghanaian local authorities management of flooding in selected cities
In the face of climate change effects, building resilient cities is the only option available to city managers. Perennial flooding across the major cities in Africa poses a significant threat to...
Economic downturn in Ghana
Managers of Ghana’s economy are being called to rise to the occasion in the face of worsening economic fundamentals across all critical sectors of the economy. From the downgrading of credit ratings to the depreciation of the country’s currency (the cedi) and inflation reaching a record high over the last 25 years, businesses’ survival and people’s livelihoods are at risk. The Government of Ghana (GoG), led by H.E. President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo Addo, is now racing against time to rescue this dire economic situation, in the second largest economy in West Africa, by introducing urgent and difficult interventions. These include an application for an extended IMF credit facility, an injection of fresh capital from syndicated loans, and more cuts in government expenditure. However, it is yet to be seen if these measures will be enough to stop further economic decline in the face of Ghana being continually blocked from the international bond market, and the low levels of internal revenue inflows.
Ghana seeks IMF support amidst the rising cost of living
Opinion from GGA-WARO: After months of intense debate on various public platforms in Ghana over the dire economic situation in Ghana, the Akuffo Addo-led government of Ghana finally seeks a bailout...
GGA West Africa
Tina Asante-Apeatu
GGA Executive Directors
Tina Serwaa Asante-Apeatu is an accomplished governance and development expert with over 20 years of leadership experience advancing democratic accountability, institutional strengthening, and public sector reform in Ghana and West Africa. She currently serves as the Executive Director of Good Governance Africa – West Africa Regional Office (GGA-WARO), where she leads regional research, policy advocacy, strategy development, and stakeholder engagement. Tina has a distinguished record in organisational leadership, programme design, monitoring and evaluation, and governance innovation. She has worked extensively with governments, civil society, development partners, and research institutions to promote transparency, the rule of law, and citizen participation. She previously held senior roles with the Friedrich Naumann Foundation and the African Evaluation Association (AfrEA), supporting governance programming, capacity building, and international convenings. As former National President of the Police Wives’ Association (POLWA), she successfully formalised the organisation and led nationwide women’s empowerment programmes. A multilingual professional (English, French, German, Twi, Ga), Tina brings strong cross-cultural communication, strategic insight, and high-level advisory experience to board engagements. Currently, she sits on the Governing Council of the Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition
Gifty Obeng
Author
Gifty Obeng is a monitoring and evaluation specialist with over 19 years’ experience in various fields of work. With an international training background (Masters level) in sustainable environmental practices, Gifty specialises in designing programmes and projects that protect the environment and thus limit the negative environmental footprint of human activities. She has been at the forefront of advising agencies like the B-Bovid (agro-processing social enterprise) on sustainable agricultural practices and climate change adaptative measures for farming communities. Gifty’s commitment to the use of best planning practices in all initiatives she has supported stems from her training as a development planning professional at undergraduate level (see CV). A trained school teacher with more than 10 years’ experience, Gifty is also skilled in training and mobilising stakeholders with various needs, and in designing content to suit various categories of clients. Gifty currently occupies the position of Programmes, Monitoring and Evaluations Manager at the Good Governance Africa Centre, where she uses her strong professional training background in business administration (Big Data), Quick Books and ComCare to steer programmes and activities.
Edward Sarpong
Author
Edward is a development planning professional with over 10 years working experience in development cooperation, research and training. For six years, Edward worked as a technical development advisor working at all levels of the decentralised system in Ghana. At the local level, he has been directly involved in community mobilisations and engagements to document the needs of the people mostly in deprived districts. These engagements were further used to enrich national policy discourse and in the formulation of policies and programmes. Edward also coordinated interventions with the then 10 Regional Coordinating Councils (RCC) to support selected districts in the implementation of their development programmes. Over the last five years Edward has been engaged in trainings and research, working both in the private and non-governmental sectors. With a strong planning background both at the masters’ and undergraduate levels, Edward is a passionate advocate of inclusive planning and decision making, particularly on matters that could reduce poverty amongst marginalised segments of society. Edward also holds a practitioner certificate in organisational and systems development; a background that positively influences his engagement with stakeholders at all levels of society. Currently, Edward occupies the position of Senior Research Officer at the Good Governance Africa – West Africa Centre (see CV).
Joyce Agyeman Attafuah
Author
Joyce Agyeman Attafuah is a distinguished lawyer, Notary Public, entrepreneur and community leader with over 17 years of experience at the Ghana Bar. She is the Managing Solicitor of Ken Attafuah Law Place, where she provides legal advisory, courtroom advocacy, corporate secretarial services and leads teams serving both private and corporate clients across several practice areas, including commercial, corporate, land, family, criminal and administrative law She holds an LLM in Alternative Dispute Resolution, a Barrister-at-Law qualification, and additional certifications in Corporate Governance, Risk and Compliance, Balanced Scorecard and ESG, among others. Joyce has an extensive record of public service, having served on the boards of Legal Aid Commission, Ghana Hostels Limited, BOST, KookooPa Company Ltd., JoyKen Platinum Company, and as a Council Member of the University for Development Studies. She is also ranked among Avance Media’s Top 100 Ghanaian Women Board Directors. She currently serves as the Board Chair of Good Governance Africa – West Africa (GGA-WARO), where she brings her strong leadership, professionalism, and commitment to governance excellence.
GGA – WEST AFRICA
GGA – WEST AFRICA
Tel: +233 302 672925
Email: info.westafrica@gga.org
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