Gender Minister Reaffirms Dedication to Strengthening Civil Society Partnerships

Introduction

On Monday, 1 December 2025, Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, Ghana’s Minister for Gender, Children, and Social Protection, announced a decisive step toward deepening collaboration with civil society organisations (CSOs). Speaking at the regional convening of the Shifting the Power Programme, the minister introduced the Civil Society Strengthening Programme (CSSP) Strategy and highlighted its role in advancing gender equity, child welfare, and inclusive development across Ghana, Zambia and Malawi.

This article analyses the key messages, the strategic framework behind the CSSP, practical implications for NGOs and policymakers, and the broader legal context governing civil‑society partnerships in Ghana and the wider West African region.

Analysis

Context of the Announcement

The Shifting the Power Programme is a joint initiative coordinated by the STAR‑Ghana Foundation, international development partners, and leading CSO networks. Its purpose is to create a shared vision for a resilient civil‑society sector that can influence policy, drive social innovation, and respond swiftly to emerging challenges such as HIV/AIDS, gender‑based violence, and child protection gaps.

Key Elements of the CSSP Strategy

The CSSP Strategy is presented as more than a formal document; it is a roadmap for collective action. Its core pillars include:

• Local ownership: Empowering Ghanaian NGOs to lead agenda‑setting and implementation.
• Long‑term sustainability: Building financial and operational resilience through diversified funding and capacity‑building.
• Strategic partnerships: Linking CSOs with government agencies, private sector innovators, and multilateral donors.

Why Civil Society Matters for Gender and Child Policy

Research from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) consistently shows that CSOs are critical for:

• Providing on‑the‑ground data that informs evidence‑based policymaking.
• Advocating for marginalized groups, especially girls and children, whose voices are often under‑represented in formal decision‑making.
• Delivering community‑based services that complement national social protection schemes.

Dr Lartey’s remarks reaffirm this evidence, positioning CSOs as indispensable partners in the rollout of gender‑responsive policies, child protection programmes, and social welfare insurance.

Summary

The minister’s declaration marks a strategic shift toward a more collaborative governance model. By formalising the CSSP Strategy, Ghana signals its commitment to:

1. Integrate CSO expertise into national gender and child‑protection agendas.
2. Strengthen the operational capacity of NGOs across three countries.
3. Leverage multi‑sectoral partnerships for sustainable social impact.

The announcement coincided with World AIDS Day, underscoring the government’s intent to align CSO‑led advocacy with broader public‑health objectives, particularly in HIV prevention and treatment access.

Key Points

Practical Advice

For Civil‑Society Organisations

To align with the CSSP Strategy, NGOs should consider the following steps:

1. Conduct a capacity audit: Identify gaps in finance, monitoring‑and‑evaluation, and advocacy skills.
2. Develop a partnership plan: Map potential government ministries and private‑sector partners that share overlapping objectives.
3. Adopt evidence‑based advocacy: Use data from community surveys to shape policy briefs that speak directly to the Ministry’s priorities.
4. Seek diversified funding: Combine grant‑based financing with social‑enterprise revenue streams to ensure sustainability.
5. Integrate gender‑responsive monitoring: Track outcomes for women and girls separately to demonstrate impact.

For Policymakers and Government Officials

Effective collaboration requires clear protocols:

• Formal memoranda of understanding (MoUs): Define roles, responsibilities, and reporting mechanisms.
• Joint advisory committees: Establish regular forums where CSO leaders can provide input on draft legislation.
• Transparent budgeting: Allocate dedicated funds for CSO‑led projects within the national gender and child‑protection budgets.
• Capacity‑building budgets: Include line items for training CSO staff on policy analysis and advocacy.

Points of Caution

While the CSSP Strategy presents many opportunities, stakeholders should be mindful of potential pitfalls:

• Dependency risk: Over‑reliance on donor funding may undermine local ownership. NGOs must prioritize revenue diversification.
• Fragmentation: Without coordinated planning, multiple CSOs might duplicate efforts, wasting resources.
• Policy misalignment: If civil‑society priorities diverge from governmental agendas, advocacy may be sidelined.
• Legal compliance: NGOs must adhere to Ghana’s NGO Act (Act 927 of 2016) and related registration requirements to avoid sanctions.

Comparison

Ghana vs. Zambia vs. Malawi: CSO Ecosystem

The table illustrates that Ghana possesses a more mature legal environment for CSO collaboration, which the CSSP Strategy seeks to leverage. Zambia and Malawi, while sharing similar challenges, may require tailored mechanisms to align with the regional vision.

Legal Implications

Implementing the CSSP Strategy must respect existing legislation:

1. NGO Registration: All participating organisations must be registered under Ghana’s NGO Act 927. Failure to maintain proper registration can result in loss of funding and legal penalties.
2. Data Protection: The strategy’s emphasis on evidence‑based advocacy involves collecting personal data. NGOs must comply with Ghana’s Data Protection Act 2012, ensuring informed consent and secure storage.
3. Gender Equality Laws: The Domestic Violence Act 2007 and the Children’s Act 1998 provide a statutory basis for many of the minister’s policy goals. CSO programmes must align with these statutes to avoid regulatory conflicts.
4. International Funding Regulations: When receiving foreign aid, NGOs must adhere to the Anti‑Terrorism Act 2008 and the Foreign Contribution (Regulation) Act 2017, which govern the receipt and use of overseas funds.

Legal counsel is advisable for NGOs seeking to enter formal partnerships under the CSSP framework to mitigate compliance risks.

Conclusion

Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey’s announcement marks a pivotal moment for gender‑focused development in Ghana and its regional partners. By institutionalising the Civil Society Strengthening Programme, the government signals a shift toward collaborative governance, sustainable funding, and evidence‑driven policy implementation. For civil‑society actors, the strategy offers a clear pathway to influence national agendas, enhance operational capacity, and contribute meaningfully to inclusive development goals. However, success will depend on diligent adherence to legal requirements, careful management of partnership dynamics, and continuous investment in capacity building.

Stakeholders who embrace these guidelines can expect a more resilient CSO sector, stronger gender and child‑protection outcomes, and a measurable reduction in health challenges such as HIV/AIDS across the three target nations.

FAQ

Sources

• Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Ghana. Press Release – 1 December 2025.
• STAR‑Ghana Foundation. Shifting the Power Programme – Final Report 2024‑2025.
• United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Role of Civil Society in Gender Equality – 2023 Study.
• Ghana NGO Act 927 (2016). Official Gazette.
• Data Protection Act 2012 (Ghana). Ministry of Communications.
• World Health Organization. HIV/AIDS Situation Report – West Africa 2024.
• International Labour Organization. Social Protection and Gender – Policy Brief 2022.