Legal practitioner and political analyst Oliver Barker-Vormawor has called on the government to immediately withdraw the proposed Non-Profit Organizations (NPO) Bill.
He argued that the bill, along with the planned creation of the NPO Secretariat, is unnecessary and could stifle civil society organizations (CSOs) in Ghana.
Barker-Vormawor insisted that instead of pushing for what he describes as redundant regulatory mechanisms, the government should focus on establishing a Democracy Fund Act.
This initiative, he suggested, would provide direct appropriations from the Consolidated Fund to support NGOs and civil society organizations engaged in critical governance and accountability work.
“It is entirely unconscionable that our entire civil space depends on the benevolence of Western taxpayers. We cannot build a democracy where no mechanisms for growing a space that is committed to auditing the state exists.”
Oliver Barker-Vormawor
A Call for Independent Democratic Funding
Furthermore, Oliver Barker-Vormawor emphasized that for civil society to fulfill its role effectively, it must have a secure and independent financial foundation, free from political influence and donor-driven priorities.
Without sustainable funding, he warned, civil society organizations will struggle to carry out their watchdog functions, advocate for policy reforms, and mobilize citizens to demand accountability from those in power.
To address this challenge, he proposed the establishment of a Democracy Fund—an autonomous financial mechanism designed to support civil society’s work without reliance on fluctuating international donor support.
“The Democracy Fund should operate independently as an independent basket managed by credible CSO and social movement leaders (particularly progressive persons who are not at all committed to placating power). It should fund organizations that do critical work; work that is critical of government.”
Oliver Barker-Vormawor
This structure, he argued, would ensure that funding decisions are insulated from political interference and aligned with the long-term interests of strengthening democracy and civic engagement in Ghana.
Barker-Vormawor further drew attention to the increasing financial challenges faced by civil society organizations in Ghana, as international donor support continues to decline.
He attributed this growing funding gap to a shift in the priorities of global funding institutions, with key donors such as USAID scaling back their contributions and European nations diverting resources toward urgent geopolitical concerns, particularly the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
He warned that this reduction in external funding poses a significant threat to the sustainability of Ghana’s democratic space, as civil society organizations play a crucial role in promoting transparency, accountability, and good governance.
Without adequate financial backing, many of these organizations may struggle to operate effectively, potentially weakening civic engagement and oversight in the country’s democratic processes.
Protecting Civil Society from Overregulation
Drawing parallels between the Non-Profit Organizations (NPO) Bill and the earlier proposed Universities Bill—which ignited a nationwide debate over academic freedom—Barker-Vormawor cautioned that the government’s increasing push for regulatory control could have significant and long-lasting implications.
He argued that just as the Universities Bill was seen as an attempt to curtail institutional autonomy, the NPO Bill poses a similar threat to the operational independence of civil society organizations.
He stressed that excessive government oversight, particularly when framed as regulatory reform, risks weakening the very institutions that serve as watchdogs of democracy.
By imposing restrictive measures, the state could create an environment where civil society groups face undue scrutiny, bureaucratic hurdles, and even political intimidation, ultimately limiting their ability to advocate for transparency, human rights, and good governance.
Barker-Vormawor urged stakeholders to resist any legislation that could erode the democratic space and undermine the crucial role of civil society in holding power to account. “We need our civil space alive and free; subject to the least possible regulatory intrusion to safeguard our already fragile democracy.”
The call for local funding mechanisms for CSOs aligns with growing concerns about the sustainability of civil society initiatives in Ghana.
Many analysts argue that relying solely on foreign aid leaves civil society vulnerable to external pressures and shifting geopolitical interests.
By advocating for a state-backed yet independently managed Democracy Fund, Barker-Vormawor hopes to ensure that CSOs can operate without political interference.
With civil society playing a crucial role in holding governments accountable, his proposal is likely to spark debate on the future of governance oversight and public participation in Ghana.
