Vice President Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has called for a bold rethinking of Ghana’s development approach, urging a move from donor dependency to national ownership.
She made this appeal while delivering the keynote address at the 3rd edition of the Ghana Civil Society Forum, held under the theme “Reimagining Development Financing and Civic Action: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Way Forward.”
Describing the forum as a vital platform for reflection and action, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang acknowledged the pressing challenges confronting the country, including reduced support from traditional funders, constrained fiscal space, and growing limitations on civic participation.
“We must now reimagine our approach by moving from dependency to ownership,” she stated.
The Vice President highlighted ongoing government efforts aimed at strengthening financial sustainability, including tax base expansion, public financial management reforms, and policy changes introduced through the 2025 budget.
She also revealed that government is exploring innovative financing models to support national development goals.
But she stressed that development is not just about funding—it’s about empowering citizens and civil society.
“Development is not only about money, but also about agency. Civic actors must remain at the heart of our national progress,” she said.
She lauded the role of civil society in monitoring, advocacy, and community-driven solutions, and underscored the value of digital transformation, the AfCFTA, and Ghana’s youthful population as key drivers of sustainable development.
Concluding her remarks, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang called on all stakeholders to adopt a new social contract built on shared accountability, co-investment, and decentralized power.
“This forum was a reminder that inclusive development is possible when government, civil society, and communities work together to create lasting, citizen-focused change,” she said.
The forum brought together leaders from across civil society, academia, and government to explore collaborative ways forward in building a more resilient, just, and people-centered development model for Ghana.
