The Role Of Non-Governmental Organizations In The Attainment Of SDG Four
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Date
2021-11
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University of Ghana
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.
Description
M.A. International Affairs And Diplomacy
Keywords
Non-Governmental Organizations, SDG Four