The Role Of Non-Governmental Organizations In The Attainment Of SDG Four

Abstract

This research assesses the role of Non-Governmental Organizations in the attainment of SDG four. In a country which is largely polarized politically, governments in power have over the years taken to capitalization of social interventions and developments to garner political credits for elections. The phenomena, among other things has led to a situation where other contributors of the nation’s developments are often not seen nor given the necessary regard to motivate their efforts in improving the development of the country. To this end, this research sort to look at Non Governmental Organizations in the education sector of Ghana, and ascertain their contributions to the development of the sector in line with Sustainable Development Goal 4. The research aims at making a modest contribution in highlighting their roles and functions in society. Situated in the Pluralism theory of State Development, the research aimed at discovering what the contributions of NGOs are, in improving education in Ghana, what impact these NGOs have had in attaining SDG four in Ghana and whether or not, the perceived non-recognisition of their work has any impact on the discharge of their mandate. Using interviews as the main tool for data gathering, primary data was sourced from officers of Lead for Ghana, CAMFED, Ghana Education Service, Ministry of Education and the Northern Association of Non-Governmental Organizations in Education. Secondary sources of information included internet sources, journal articles, books, reports, and others. The study revealed that these NGOs are contributing significantly to increasing access to education and improving on the quality of education in the country. The study also revealed that aside from governments' initiatives to provide physical educational structures, there is a more significant challenge to improving quality of teachers to schools especially in rural Ghana. NGOs like Lead for Ghana have challenged the Status Quo in improving the caliber of teachers recruited to deprived communities in the country. The study also revealed that to attain the targets of SDG four, NGOs have an important role acting as checks and pressure groups for the Ministry of Education in the formulation of Education policies to attain the targets of SDG four in Ghana. In order to continue making contributions to the development of education in the country and attaining SDG four, the study recommends an implementation of a structure by government to appreciate the efforts of these NGOs.It is recommended that the Ministry of education put in place a system that allows for NGOs to detail their work structure and focus areas in order to avoid concertartion of NGOs in particular regions. Results from the study also reveals that, NGOs and their work in education is so crucial to the overall development of the nation hence, the need to strategicall harness the resources possesd by these NGOs to the benefit of the nation.