Management of NGOs Lecture Notes PDF

Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) THE CONTEXT OF NGO MANAGEMENT I Prof. James K. Mensah Dr. Nicholas Ayamga Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) November 2024 1 1. Mention any five NGOs in your country. 2. Mention five distinctive features of NGOs and other o...

Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) THE CONTEXT OF NGO MANAGEMENT I Prof. James K. Mensah Dr. Nicholas Ayamga Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) November 2024 1 1. Mention any five NGOs in your country. 2. Mention five distinctive features of NGOs and other organizations in your country. 3. Mention five activities which are carried out by NGOs in your country. 4. Why must NGOs and Government work together for development? Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 2 OBJECTIVES: By the end of this unit, you should be able to: Explain the meaning of NGO Mention the features of NGOs Classify some NGOs in your locality and country Give account of the historical development of NGOs in your country Differentiate NGOs from other organizations Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) 3 The term non-governmental organization (NGO) has become very common in Ghana and the world at large. In virtually all countries worldwide, NGOs play an important role in various spheres of life. In some parts of the world, NGOs are also referred to as Private Voluntary Organisations (PVOs) or Non-Profit Organisations (NPOs). Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 4 Several authorities have explained NGOs to mean several things. Let us take a look at some of these meanings of the term NGO. Any voluntary organisation or body of persons whether corporate or incorporated which is non- political, non-partisan, non-profit making and which aims at improving the quality of life of the inhabitants of the country (Attorney General, 1993). Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 5  NGOs include profit-making organisations, foundations, educational institutions, churches and other religious groups and missions, medical organisations and hospitals, unions and professional organisations, co-operatives and cultural groups as well as voluntary agencies (OECD, 1988).  An NGO is a non-profit, non-government, private group, at least partially formalised into an organisation that an individual joins by choice (Tongsgate and Tips, 1988). Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 6  NGOs are instrumental or public issue oriented, expressive or social service oriented groups (Kirby, 1973).  NGOs are those private non-profit organisations that work with developing countries to relieve suffering, promote the interest of the poor, protect the environment, provide basic social services, or undertake community development (Aubrey, 1990). Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 7 Following from our previous discussions on the meaning of NGOs, we may prescribe some defining characteristics or requirements for NGOs. Therefore, for an entity to be called an NGO, it must have the following features. It must: be founded by private individuals be independent of states be oriented toward the rule of law pursue public rather than private interests as an objective possess a minimal organisational structure Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 8 The Commonwealth Foundation (1965) also perceives NGOs as organisations, which have the following 4 characteristics: 1. NGOs are formed voluntarily There is nothing in the legal, statutory framework of any country, which requires them to be formed or prevents them from being formed. 2. NGOs are independent bodies With the laws of society, they are controlled by those who have formed them or by boards of management to which such people have delegated, or are required by law to delegate responsibility for control and management. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 9 3. They are not-for-profit organizations They are not for personal private profit or gain, although NGOs may have employees like other enterprises, who are paid for what they do. 4. They are not self-serving in aims and related values The aims of NGOs are to improve the circumstances or prospects of disadvantaged people who are unable to realise their potential or achieve their full rights in society, through direct or indirect forms of action. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 10 In brief, the Commonwealth Foundation concludes that NGOs are organisations, which are voluntary, independent, not-for- profit and charitable, and thus promote development-related activities. Please Note: Although NGOs may also engage in revenue- generating activities, they do not, however, distribute profits or surpluses to shareholders or members. They use revenues generated solely in pursuit of their aims. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 11  LEONARD’S CLASSIFICATION Leonard (1982) explains that the term NGO embraces a broad range of organizations of diverse scale and character. He classifies them into 2 categories, which cut across the conventional distinction between membership organizations that help themselves and service organisations that help others. He further places them into 3 major categories, namely: 1. National Membership\service organizations having small professional staff who provide varied forms of support in terms of information exchange, management training and policy representative to community assistance across a country. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 12 2. International The international NGOs are relief and development agencies, which are purely service organisations. They generally have large staff, field officers in several countries and world-wide budgets which compare with those smaller governments in Africa. 3. Community based NGOs or associations The community-based associations, on the other hand, are comparatively small and rely mostly on limited amounts of primary level resources. Generally, they are service organisations formed by a group of people with similar motives and aspirations. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 13  DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WELFARE’S CLASSIFICATION The department of social welfare classifies NGOs into four categories. These are 1. Community-based NGO, 2. National NGO 3. National NGO with international affiliates, 4. International NGO operating locally Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 14  STILLMAN’S CLASSIFICATION According to Stillman (2007), the legal form of NGOs is diverse and depends upon home-grown variations in each country’s laws and practices. He however identifies four main family groups of NGOs that can be found worldwide: 1. Unincorporated associations This is the simplest and non-legal form, where two or more individuals associate to pursue their non-commercial objectives. There are usually no legal formalities to complete, but sometimes the group may want to draw up an unofficial agreement to regulate their relations nevertheless. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 15 2. Trusts, charities and foundations The key principle here is that a benefactor using its money sets up a trust or foundation either during the benefactor’s lifetime or through a will for the benefit of either a charitable or non-profit purpose or for specified beneficiaries. However, a trust does not really have a separate legal identity as a company, nor does it have contractual relations among all the persons within it like a partnership would. This means that the rights of the beneficiaries are not strictly guaranteed under contract law, but usually arise through more general rules of equity and fairness. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 16 3. Companies not for profit This common form derives from the classic formal, separate legal personality for an association usually engaged in a commercial venture. In this case, however, they are incorporated under a special chapter or section of the company statute that was set up to handle companies and corporations created for reasons other than making a profit. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 17 4. Entities formed or registered under special NGO or NPO laws Instead of relying upon other legal vehicles that may not be wholly suitable, this family of NGOs can take the benefit of a specific set of laws and regulations created for the sole purpose of establishing or registering NGOs under domestic law. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 18  CLASSIFICATION OF NGOS SALAMON’S CLASSIFICATION Salamon (1994) sees the concept of NGOs as being culturally and geographically bound and subject to the project that they undertake. In this respect, the classification of NGOs depends, to a large extent, on the environment in which it operates. NGOs can be classified according to the following criteria: 1. Legal criteria This is based on their legal capacity. NGOs may thus be classified according to their legal capacity. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 19 2. Economic criteria NGOs may also be classified based on the income they earn from the government. This definition is impracticable in most developing countries since government makes no significant financial contribution to NGOs. 3. Purpose criteria The purposes of NGOs differ according to their goals and objectives. NGOs may therefore be classified according to the purpose for which they were set up. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 20 4. Structural, operational criteria NGOs may also be grouped according to the structure or operations they undertake. Here, consideration is given to whether they possess the characteristics of being formal organizations, non-dividend paying, self-governing, non-governmental and private individuals, created for public benefit, and have private involvement. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 21 NGOs are individually created organizations that operate on a non-profit basis. NGOs exist to serve the interest of people rather than their own interests. NGOs operate on the international, national, and local levels. Different NGOs exist for different reasons to undertake different activities NGOs have become an essential instrument for development in Ghana. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 22 Scope of Activities of NGO The activities of NGOs have a wide scope stretching from religion, through development, to politics. For instance Spromer (1996) explains that In the religious field, they include the activities of the World Council of Churches, World Jewish Congress, and the International Muslim Union. In the political field, one could list as examples the work of the Inter-parliamentary Union or the work of the Socialist International. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 23  In the cultural field, the International Pen Club and the International Confederation of Authors and Composers are the most well known NGOs.  The activities of the Amnesty International in human rights field as well as those of Greenpeace in the field of environmental protection are well known. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 24 The ranges of activities make it impossible to even attempt a comprehensive, systematic description of the scope of NGOs. Some roles of NGOs have therefore been highlighted in the fields of development aid, sports, human rights, and the environment. Development aid In the field of development aid, NGOs are increasingly seen as an alternative to direct state action in the implementation of specific projects. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 25 Sports - The International Olympic Committee (IOC) Many NGOs are rising to the challenge of enhancing the quality of life of individuals and communities through sports. By staging tournaments and other competitive activities, NGOs help unearth talent, develop potential and provide a source of livelihood for communities. Human rights - Amnesty International NGOs have also emerged as key actors in the protection of human rights, civil liberties and freedom. NGOs in human rights serve as the voice of the voiceless through advocacy, sensitization and other legal services. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 26  NGOs in the protection of the environment The role of NGOs in the international protection of the environment does not significantly differ from the role taken by NGOs in the human rights field. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 27 You may have realized by now that NGO activity is carried on in states and sometimes along state actors. We would look at some of the different ways that NGOs interact with states in their day-to-day operations. Firstly, the state may recognise the quasi-autonomy of a specific order built by the NGO. This is an approach that leads to minimum interference into the state's affairs by the NGO. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 28 NGOs may also pursue aims that are considered useful for states. The socially interactive natures of NGOs enable them to pursue development projects for states especially at the grassroots level. Consequently, states use the work of NGOs to further their policies. Finally, an NGO may act in the pursuit of the public interest, for instance, the protection of human rights or the environment. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 29 In virtually all countries the world over, non-governmental organizations (NGOs) play an important role in various spheres of life. Through their flexibility, innovations, closeness to large groups and their non-bureaucratic procedures and many other ways, it is clear that NGOs can play a very significant role in the development and democratisation process. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 30 The following are some of the importance of NGOs: Meeting the global challenge As a result of global and national challenges such as overpopulation, migration, and environmental destruction, states have recognised their limited capacity to respond effectively to these challenges. Enhancing socio-economic development NGOs have established themselves as important actors in the socio-economic development, even at the international level. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 31 Innovation Many of the presumed benefits of NGO activities derive from a belief that NGO workers are more diligent and better motivated than their counterparts in other organisations, such as private firms and government bureaucracies.  Community assistance The importance of NGO action is best in evidence in successfully assisting the under-privileged, communities in remote locations, and people who face social barriers to socio-economic development. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 32 Provision of public services NGOs can and do play a strong role in assisting developing countries to complement the provision of public services, such as education and health, and to improve their effectiveness. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 33  The activities of NGOs cut across all sectors of society  NGOs do not compete with states but rather co operate or complement state efforts  NGOs play a strong role in development at the local, national and international levels Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 34 NGO EMERGENCE IN THE DEVELOPED WORLD According to Katsriku (1996), NGOs started springing up in the early 19th century in the developed world. Members of such organisations were mainly from the middle and wealthy classes whose main concern was the provision of care and welfare to the poor and the disadvantaged in their societies. In this context, NGOs were registered as charities or welfare organisations. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 35 Later in the 19th century the philanthropists who ran the charities found the need to look beyond welfare as more and more issues became recognised. Thus, groups were formed to promote advocacy and raise public awareness on various political issues as human rights. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 36 A crucial and historical effect of the activities of such groups was the abolition of the obnoxious slave trade. These actions and others added a new dimension to NGO activities, which pushed them into involvement in change and development issues. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 37 Indeed, many NGOs in contemporary times are more change and development oriented than just delivering welfare services. There are NGOs, which increasingly engage in research, advocacy, empowerment and promotion of democracy. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 38 NGOS IN THE PRE-INDEPENDENCE ERA Katsriku (1996) explains that Ghana has also experienced a long history of indigenous NGO activities. However, unlike the developed world where the rich came together to help the poor, in Ghana, the voluntary activities were characteristically mutual aid or self-help in nature. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 39 In addition to the self-help community based organisations, there was a transfer of welfare voluntary action from the developed world to Ghana by Christian missionaries. Such actions by the various missionaries led to the establishment of schools and clinics in remote rural communities and in some crowded urban centres in the country. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 40 Just like the NGOs in the developed world, the focus of activities of NGOs in Ghana gradually shifted towards development and change after independence. Thus, private voluntary organisations became involved in development with a bias to rural areas and the problem of rural poverty. They mobilised communities to take active interest in problems affecting them to facilitate community development and create consciousness for popular participation. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 41 During the period of 1970s-1980s, Ghana experienced a downward trend in her political and socio-economic circumstances. This created gaps in government revenue such that it became evident that government alone could not carry the full burden of development, and the welfare of the poor sectors of the population. From the early 1980s, the government adopted strategic reforms through the Economic Recovery and the Structural Adjustment Programmes (SAP) to promote economic and social development. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 42 These strategic reforms helped the government to realign some of the policies with regard to improvement in agriculture, production, development of micro industries and the promotion of non-traditional exports. Even though NGOs had been operating in Ghana, they were not given governmental recognition until September 1989. The recognition was facilitated by a meeting between the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the government on one hand and the NGOs on the other hand at Nsawam. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 43 The Nsawam meeting led to the proposal for the establishment of a National Advisory Council on NGOs. Currently, NGOs in Ghana provide a wide range of Services in diverse fields: Environmental protection; Services for women, the elderly and children; Vocational skills; Technology transfer; Sanitation; and Water development and supply. Others are relief; education; health; capacity building; agriculture; rehabilitation of the disabled; population, food security, human resource development and research. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 44 Since NGOs are characterised by flexibility, resilience and involvement at the grassroots, it enables them to break new grounds where government's stringent bureaucratic practice cannot permit easy access or prompt response. Over the past decade and half, therefore, the government has recognised that NGOs are better disposed to mobilising both local and external resources to supplement her efforts. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 45 In June 1990, a meeting held between representatives of various government departments and a broad range of NGO representatives, came out with the following recommendations which summed up the government-NGO interface: That the Department of Social Welfare should be the legally empowered body to register all NGOs in the country, in concurrence with the relevant professional and technical bodies Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 46  That an inter-agency body with some NGO representation be established as a National Advisory Council (NAC) and located at the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare to advise government on NGO matters  That the Ministry of Employment and Social Welfare be given statutory responsibility for all matters concerning NGOs in Ghana Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 47  That NGO-desks be established in all sector ministries, which interact with NGOs in Ghana Above all the 1992 Constitution of Ghana unequivocally guarantees the freedom of association. Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 48  NGOs started as mutual-aid or self help organizations but have now evolved into public- oriented development agencies  Though NGOs have been operating in Ghana for decades, they gained formal recognition in 1989  The government of Ghana accepts the role of NGOs as collaborators for development Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 49  NGOs are better placed to undertake development at the grassroots level in Ghana  NGOs have a crucial role to play in the achievement of Ghana’s medium term goals Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 50 1. What is mission statement? 2. Why do you think that the staff must make inputs into the mission development process? Management of NGOs (PAHS 305) Feb 17, 2025 51