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

News from the region

Quickly access all the latest news, articles and press releases from our centres operating in West Africa

Economic downturn in Ghana

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.

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GGA West Africa

Tina Asante-Apeatu

GGA Executive Directors

Tina Asante-Apeatu is the executive director of GGA-West Africa Centre. She holds a BA in psychology and politics and eMBA in project management. She manages various projects, including research and advocacy in the areas of land governance, property rights and early childhood education. She is also currently the president of the Police Wives’ Association of Ghana. Tina is married with two children and loves travelling to new places.

Nana Osei-Bonsu

GGA Chairmen

Nana has over 40 years of experience spanning the private and public sectors. He is currently the CEO of the Private Enterprise Federation (PEF) of Ghana. The PEF is the most powerful and autonomous apex institution of all private businesses and trade associations in Ghana. Nana is an economist and financial expert with an extensive banking career in the USA. He worked with the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the New York State Banking Department, the Federal Home Loan Bank of New York and Alliance Capital where he obtained a Broker/Dealer License during that period. Nana also served as the Managing Partner of a private investment firm, Manoff Associates of New York. Nana later joined the investment banking division of JP Morgan Chase where he held senior management level positions. On his return to Ghana, Nana served as one of three Technical Advisors of the Economic Management Team of the Government of Ghana. At the same time, he doubled as a Technical Advisor to the Minister of State for Economic Planning. Nana was later appointed the first Chief Executive Officer of the Venture Capital Trust Fund (VCTF) where he leveraged Government’s endowment to partner private sector investors, including some European Equity firms to create five Venture Capital Funds with the private partners contributing huge capital amounts. During his tenure, Nana increased Accumulated Capital of the Trust Fund immensely and attained great success. Following this, he was appointed the CEO of the Private Enterprise Federation, a position he currently holds. Nana also serves as a board or steering committee member of numerous public and private institutions including the following: Ghana Interbank Payment and Settlement system (GHIPSS), DANIDA SPSD, National Appropriate Mitigation Action (NAMA), Ghana Anti-corruption Coalition, Ministry of Trade and Industry, Ghana Union life Assurance Company. Nana has had extensive interaction with the World Bank, the African development Bank, Donor Agencies and their respective consulates. He has also been actively involved other internationally sponsored programmes and activities across Africa.

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).

GGA – WEST AFRICA

GGA – WEST AFRICA

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