Governance

Governance Structure

It is proposed as follows:

Governance:
Set up a Coordinating Committee (CC) to:
- oversee the work of the Forum,
- provide strategic direction for its development and sustainability,
- coordinate the Working Groups,
- plan and implement the annual Convening/Conference of the Forum.
- responsible for implementation of the resolutions and actions decided at the annual meeting of the Forum

Membership of the CC will comprise as follows:
- 5 Zonal CSO representatives (Northern, Middle Belt, Coastal, Accra and Eastern)
- 4 Representatives of thematic/sector CSO networks and coalitions
- 4 Convenors of the 4 Working Groups.
- In addition to the above, the CSO funding partners of the Forum (STAR-Ghana, NORSAAC, OXFAM Ghana, WACSI and GACC) will serve on the CC for an initial two (2) years, after which they could be elected to membership of the CC in an ex-officio capacity.
Members of the CC will serve a two-year tenure that can be renewed for once.
The CC will elect a Chairperson and Vice (one of who must be a woman) who will serve for two-year renewable tenures. The Chairperson, or in their absence, the Vice, will preside over meetings of the CC and represent the Forum in meetings with external stakeholders. S/he will sign off on all official communications from the Forum

STAR-Ghana Foundation will serve as Convenor of the forum and host its secretariat. The Secretariat will:
- Provide logistical and other secretarial support for the work of the Forum
- Lead on the fundraising to support the work of the Forum.

Strategy and Approach

The Forum will not be registered as a legal entity and will not set up its own offices. This is to ensure that any resources mobilised are used directly to provide services to members instead of servicing a secretariat and also to keep it as a flexible space for coordinated civil society actions. The Secretariat will enter into agreements and contracts on behalf of the forum.

Except for any compensation relating to implementation of a funded project, CC and WG members will provide pro bono services to the Forum.

Focus the work of the Forum on broad issues that affect the civic space and the functioning of CSOs. Avoid activities or work that is already being implemented by a CSO or coalition or CSOs. Where actions in such areas are contemplated, they should be complementary to what is already being done or planned by member CSOs.

GCSF should not be set up or seen as a supra CSO superintending work of other CSOs, except for the Peer Review mechanism which is voluntary.

Financing

Fundraising for specific activities or projects, from members, donors and private sector organisations.
Self-financing for participation in annual forum, with general costs covered by institutional partners.

Terms of Reference

Coordinating Committee

The CC will provide strategic direction, oversight, and coordination for the work of the GCSF. Its core objective is to ensure that the Forum remains effective, legitimate, and sustainable in fostering civil society actions in Ghana.

Role

Oversee the operations of the Forum, ensuring alignment with the objectives of enhancing civil society sustainability and effectiveness.
Provide strategic direction for the development of the GCSF, including decision-making around issues.
Coordinate the activities of the Working Groups (WGs) and facilitate collaboration across the civil society sector.
Plan and implement the Annual Forum, which includes setting the agenda, organizing logistics, and monitoring progress.
Implement resolutions from the Forum's annual meetings and monitor follow-up actions.
Facilitate partnerships and collaboration with national, regional, and international stakeholders.

Ensure financial accountability and transparency in the administration of Forum resources.

Membership Composition

Zonal CSO representatives (Northern, Middle Belt, Coastal, Southern, and Eastern).
representatives of thematic/sector CSO networks and coalitions.
4 conveners from each of the Working Groups.
Initial participation of Forum funding partners (STAR-Ghana, NORSAAC, Oxfam Ghana, WACSI and GACC) for two years, after which they may be elected in an ex-officio capacity.

Tenure

Members will serve a two-year term, renewable once.

Leadership Structure

Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson: One of whom must be a woman, serving for two-year renewable terms.

The Chairperson will preside over CC meetings, represent the Forum externally, and sign official communications.

Vice-Chairperson will act in the Chairperson’s absence and provides complementary leadership.

Accountability

The CC will provide regular updates to the Forum's membership, ensuring transparency and responsiveness to emerging challenges and sector-wide priorities.

Convenor

The Convenor is responsible for facilitating the daily operations and logistics of the GCSF and serves as the Secretariat, ensuring the effective coordination of activities and long-term sustainability of the Forum.

Role
- Serve as the administrative hub for the Forum, coordinating communication, logistics, and general operations.
- Support the CC by facilitating meetings, preparing reports, and following up on decisions and resolutions.
- Lead fundraising efforts to support the work of the Forum and ensure sustainability.
- Enter into agreements and manage contracts on behalf of the Forum, while ensuring legal and financial compliance.
- Maintain relationships with donors, CSOs, government, and other relevant stakeholders.
- Coordinate the annual Forum, ensuring logistical success and participation.

Accountability

Reports to the CC and ensures full accountability in fundraising, financial management, and the execution of the Forum's strategic priorities.

Working Groups

The Working Groups will operate around specific pillars, driving focused efforts in critical areas identified by the Forum. They will execute plans, conduct research, and coordinate actions relevant to their thematic areas, contributing to the overall impact of the GCSF.

General Responsibilities

Develop and implement work plans based on the pillars assigned to the group.

Facilitate the sharing of knowledge and best practices among members on their pillar of focus.

Coordinate with other WGs to avoid duplication of efforts and ensure alignment with the overall goals of the Forum.

Advise the CC on emerging trends and challenges within their focus areas, contributing to the development of Forum-wide strategies.

Pillars and Responsibilities:

CSO Accountability WG:

Develop a voluntary Peer Review Mechanism to enhance transparency and accountability.
Support CSOs in signing on to the International Aid Transparency Initiative (IATI) and improve local and international legitimacy.
Coordinate the establishment of a National CSO Day to showcase the impact of CSOs on national development.

CSO Sustainability WG:

Strengthen CSO fundraising capacities and promote local philanthropy.
Develop and maintain a database of funding sources for member CSOs.
Explore innovative approaches to sustainability in the civic sector.

Enabling Environment WG:

Advocate for the passage of a responsive NPO bill and engage stakeholders in its implementation.
Lead dialogues with state actors, donors, and relevant stakeholders to foster a more enabling environment for CSOs in Ghana.

Strengthening the GCS Forum WG:

Develop membership criteria for the GCSF, ensuring inclusivity and representativeness.
Support the formation of zonal and regional branches of the Forum.
Forge linkages with other civil society networks such as the GJA, TUC, and others.
Monitor the overall health of the Forum and recommend strategies for strengthening its institutional structure.

WG Leadership:

Each WG will elect/select a Convenor who will:
Facilitate the WG’s meetings and coordinate its activities.
Represent the WG in the CC and provide regular updates on the group's progress.

About GCSF

As Ghana continues to navigate complex challenges and opportunities, the GCSF remains a crucial space for reflection, collaboration and strategic planning.

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