Busara and WACSI Foster Leadership and Governance
in West African Civil Society Organisations

Busara, in partnership with the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI) and with the generous support of the Ford Foundation, recently held 2 transformative 3-day training aimed at enhancing leadership and organisational governance within the civil society sector in Ghana and Nigeria. 

The trainings where held from March 18th to 20th, 2024, at the Mensvic Hotel in Accra, Ghana, and subsequently from April 8th to 11th, 2024, at the Protea Hotel in Lagos, Nigeria. This collaborative effort is aimed at empowering leaders of civil society organisations (CSOs) with the necessary skills and strategies to effectively navigate the contemporary challenges encountered within today’s civic landscape in West Africa. The training is part of the Civil Society Resource Hub (CSR-Hub).

Participants of these trainings were drawn from a diverse array of 31 representatives from prominent CSOs including form Ghana Youthhub Africa, WIDEF, Ghana Anti-Corruption Coalition, Human Rights and Development Foundation and from Nigeria IREDE Foundation, Media Rights Agenda, Baobab for Women’s Human Rights, Global Rights, and Youth and Women Empowerment, among others. 

The training fostered a richly dynamic learning environment. Through a meticulously curated series of interactive sessions, attendees delved into critical topics such as Leadership in Today’s Civic Space, Emotional Intelligence, Conflict Management, and Succession Planning, among others. These sessions not only facilitated knowledge acquisition but also encouraged active participation, reflection, and the exchange of insights and best practices amongst peers.

Reflecting on the workshop’s impact, Basumah N. Robert from RISE Ghana remarked, “It was very educative, especially relating to conflict management. And there were practical exercises to help understand.” Such testimonials underscore the practical relevance and effectiveness of the training in equipping CSO leaders with the tools necessary to navigate complex organisational dynamics and external challenges.

In essence, the collaborative training initiative by Busara and WACSI provided a pivotal platform for CSO leaders to foster collaboration, expand their networks, and fortify their organisations. By nurturing effective leadership and governance practices, participants were better equipped to advance the collective mission of safeguarding and promoting the civic space within the West African region. Through such concerted efforts, the foundations for sustained impact and positive change within civil society have been strengthened, heralding a brighter future for the advancement of democracy, human rights, and social justice across the region.