Accra – Penplusbytes, a civic tech nonprofit organization, has organized a unique event in Accra under its 'Yen Somu Bi' (let's lend a helping hand) project to foster local philanthropy. This initiative, titled 'Pitch for Change', brought together non-governmental organizations (NGOs) working in various sectors across Ghana and private donors, including corporate social responsibility (CSR) departments of state agencies.
According to Ghana News Agency, NGOs focusing on Education, Economic Empowerment, Water, Sanitation, and Health (WASH) were given an opportunity to pitch their ideas and projects to an audience of potential donors. These donors were mainly from the private sector and included representatives from the Vodafone Ghana Foundation, Pentecost Social Services, Margins ID Group, Ghana National Gas Company, and the National Lottery Authority's Good Causes Foundation.
Six NGOs, namely the Community Development Alliance (CDA Ghana), Hereafter Ghana, Ark Development Organisation, Resource Link Foundation Ghana, Celdar Foundation, and the International Child Development Programme, were selected to present their initiatives. The donors evaluated these pitches, focusing on how they aligned with their CSR objectives, and pledged their support and partnership.
Mr. Jerry Sam, Executive Director of Penplusbytes, inspired the participants by emphasizing the importance of building relationships between NGOs and the private sector. He stated that such partnerships can achieve significant results. He also mentioned that STAR Ghana Foundation, known for promoting active citizenship and philanthropy, is collaborating with Penplusbytes on the 'Yen Somu Bi' project.
The NGOs presented a range of project ideas aimed at addressing various community needs. For instance, CDA-Ghana proposed constructing delivery rooms in the Konzokala Community, Upper West Region, while My-Here-After Ghana focused on providing educational resources in the Tolon District, Northern Region. The Ark Development Organisation aimed to enhance health and education in marginalized communities in the Eastern Region, while Research Link Foundation Ghana sought support for a women's training and processing center in beekeeping.
The International Child Development Programme, Ghana, presented 'The Future is TVET' project for equipping school dropouts with vocational skills. The Celdar Foundation's initiative targeted addressing pregnancy and HIV among teenagers in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality, Eastern Region, by establishing a Skills Development Hub.
The donors expressed their enthusiasm for the innovative projects and committed to supporting them, recognizing the mutual benefits of delivering comprehensive projects to community members.
The 'Yen Somu Bi' project aims to highlight domestic philanthropy through an innovative, research-linked fundraising and advocacy platform. Penplusbytes drives change in areas like technology, good governance, climate, well-being, new media, and the extractive sector, while the STAR Ghana Foundation works towards a vibrant, well-informed, and assertive civil society.