NGO Registration Ghana

HOW TO START AN NGO IN GHANA

Starting and managing an NGO in Ghana, or anywhere, can test the most saintly of spirits. Alright, perhaps we’re exaggerating a little. But what we’re trying to say is that setting up an NGO in Ghana (or Africa) is NOT EASY.
We’ll make setting up an NGO or non-profit in Ghana a little easier over the next five steps.
(Head over to G-lish.org because we’ll give you glimpses into our own NGO struggles and achievements straight from the NGO diaries from time to time.)
This document covers five main steps essential to setting up an NGO in Ghana. The first two are generic steps for
anywhere in the world. The final three steps are for Ghana, specifically. Feel free to share this document with anyone who may be starting their own NGO anywhere.

1. Develop Your Vision and Mission
2. Develop Goals and Objectives
3. Set up a Board of Directors
4. Draft a Constitution
5. Register the Organization in Ghana

1. Develop Your Vision and Mission
You need a compelling vision and genuine commitment to that vision for the long-term. If you do things right you will go
MaD (making a difference) in a way that fully benefits your target communities.
Vision and Mission will explain your organization’s existence and focus its activities. And, this will “sell” your NGO to the
world.
Writing a vision and mission is like crafting an elevator pitch: make it short, clear and a little intriguing.
But let’s look at the difference between vision and mission first.
Vision
Your NGO’s vision is what the community would be if the problem is solved. A vision is the "ideal situation" that you hope
to achieve.
At the most basic level, your vision could be “World Peace”.
Your mission would be to “eradicate conflict by…” and listing ways to do this.
G-lish’s vision is “Economic independence and environmental regeneration for impoverished communities in Ghana.”
Establishing a meaningful vision requires consultation and time. You must identify a problem that requires a solution.
Sometimes this is very complex and technical and sometimes it is simple.
The best way to determine the vision, and thus problem to be solved, is to spend time with your target group/s to learn
their needs, aspirations and future goals. The ability to be flexible and to listen is important. It’s important to get it right
now, before you start down the wrong path.
You might want to bring technology to help a community travel faster between two villages, but the community might
really want and need a health clinic. Just because you have something to offer, does not mean that it is helpful to the
community. You must learn to adapt your offer to the needs.
You should research organizations similar to the one you are starting to ensure you are not be duplicating the work of
other groups. It is more beneficial to address a neglected need, than a need that is already catered for, unless the other
groups are not doing a good job. In that case, you can attempt to do better.
Your ideal community after the problem is solved is, therefore, the basis of your NGO’s vision.
Why don’t you try thinking about the problem in the community that you could solve and how it would look when it’s
solved? Then try writing that vision in less than 30 words.
5. Register your NGO in Ghana
The important first four steps have been taken to profile the NGO.
1. Develop vision and mission
2. Set goals and objectives
3. Set up a Board of Directors
4. Set up a Constitution
Now, the big step:

5. Register the NGO in Ghana.
NGO registration laws differ from country to country. Since we’re looking at Ghana, let’s now take a look at the legal
requirements and the registration steps for NGOs in Ghana.
It’s a two step application process. The first step involves applying to the Registrar General’s Department. The second
step involves applying to the Department of Social Welfare.

1. Applying to the Registrar General’s Department
Certificate to Commence Business and Certificate of Incorporation
The first step in the NGO registration process is to obtain a Certificate to Commence Business and Certificate of Incorporation.
Purchase the NGO registration form at the Registrar General’s Department in Accra or at the regional post offices outside
of Accra. The current cost of the form is nine Ghana Cedis, fifty Pesewas (9.50). Please note here that there are different.

Constitutions vary according to the specific needs of NGOs, however the following list is a guide of commonly included
elements
· Official name of your NGO
· The vision/mission and goals/objectives
· Registered office
· The programme areas
· Members and qualifications and length of memberships
· Board size, responsibilities, structure
· Structure of board meetings
· Committee Structure
· Executive positions and functions and procedure for dismissal
· How your NGO is funded
· How funds are applied
· Amendment procedure for the amendment of the constitution