Ghana’s President Calls for Shift to Domestic Resource Mobilization at Civil Society Forum DATELINE: Accra, Ghana – 2026-07-02 LEAD At the Ghana Civil Society Forum 2026, President John Dramani Mahama emphasized the need for a new development compact, advocating for a shift from reliance on external aid to domestic resource mobilization and national ownership.
The forum, held in Accra from June 25 to 26, brought together stakeholders from across civil society, government, development partners, academia, and the private sector. NUT GRAF: The President’s call for a reimagining of Ghana’s development partnerships reflects a broader trend in the country towards democratization and inclusive development.
Officials commented on the matter.
Accra, Ghana — President John Dramani Mahama delivered a keynote address at the Ghana Civil Society Forum 2026, highlighting the importance of local ownership in development processes. Rouguietou Khady Sow, Programme Officer for African Philanthropy at TrustAfrica, participated as a panelist, outlining partnership priorities for sustainable development and civic space.
Sow emphasized the need for partnerships that promote inclusive growth and social justice, highlighting the importance of civil society in driving these objectives.
The forum also provided a platform for discussions on themes including localisation and community power, partnerships for democracy, and the future of civic action. Participants highlighted the challenges faced by civil society organizations in advocating for social change and called for greater support and protection of civic space.
President Mahama’s emphasis on domestic resource mobilization and national ownership contrasts with traditional approaches that often rely heavily on external aid.
This shift is particularly relevant in the context of the changing global development finance architecture, which demands that countries like Ghana ask “a completely different question: what can we do for ourselves? “
as the President declared.
The Ghana Civil Society Forum 2026 demonstrated the importance of collaboration among various stakeholders in addressing development challenges. It also underscored the role of civil society in promoting democratic governance and inclusive development. KICKER: As the discussions at the forum continue to unfold, However, the event has certainly highlighted the need for a more inclusive and locally-driven approach to development in Ghana and across Africa.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Trustafrica
Source: Abdarahmane Wone
