Ghanaian NGOs lack decision-making power in development projects

Development initiatives in Ghana face criticism regarding the concept of localization. While projects are often labeled as locally led, local NGOs frequently carry the risks of delivery without possessing actual authority over budgets, priorities, or evaluation metrics. Critics argue that current practices often involve international donors selecting problems and deadlines, leaving local organizations to act merely as implementers rather than decision-makers.

This gap between commitment and practice is reflected in broader humanitarian trends. Although the Grand Bargain aimed to direct at least 25 percent of funding directly to local responders, a 2024 review by the USAID Office of Inspector General revealed that direct funding to local partners accounted for only 10.2 percent of USAID’s total budget in the 2022 financial year. Obstacles such as partner experience and capacity remain, but advocates suggest these should be addressed through stronger partnership systems rather than maintaining centralized control by large mediators.