Strengthening Leadership and
Governance Across West Africa
Civic Space

Last month, in June, our team facilitated two workshops on Leadership and Organisational Governance for the third cohort of the Civic Space Resource Hub (CSR Hub) for West Africa. The 3-day training sessions, held from June 3-5 in Tamale, Ghana, and from June 24-26 in Abuja, Nigeria, respectively, brought together 50 executive directors and senior leaders from 20 civil society organisations (CSOs) in Ghana and 30 CSOs in Nigeria. Through highly interactive sessions, participants gained practical strategies to enhance leadership, build resilient organisations, and navigate the dynamic civic landscape.

Exploring the Complexities of Civic Leadership

Over three immersive days, participants in both Tamale and Abuja explored practical strategies to strengthen leadership, build resilient organisations, and navigate the dynamic civic landscape through key sessions on ‘Leading Self,’ ‘Leading Others,’ and ‘Leading the Organisation.’ In each country, we:

✅ Helped leaders explore practical strategies for navigating the complex civic space.
✅ Facilitated deep self-reflection, using tools like role plays, group work, and journaling to sharpen their awareness of how they show up as leaders.
✅ Supported organisations in crafting SMART action plans to address their most pressing leadership and governance challenges.
✅ Provided a safe, collaborative space where leaders could learn not just from us, but from each other, gaining fresh perspectives on how to lead their teams and institutions more strategically. 

Transformative Experience

The sessions were facilitated by Robert Akoto Amoafo, our Technical Lead, who highlighted key aspects of leadership and organisational governance, equipping participants with practical tools for success. As one participant aptly described it, the experience was “transformative, offering a deeper understanding of the complexities of civic leadership and the skills required to thrive.”

Our Approach

We did not approach this work as mere trainers or advisors, we acted as thinking partners, walking alongside these leaders to help them surface insights, clarify priorities, and make meaningful shifts in how they lead. This approach enabled participants to gain practical tools and inspiration for organisational growth.
One participant captured this beautifully, saying: “The training was fantastic, it met my expectations and helped address real leadership challenges. It was thought-inspiring for our organisation’s growth.” Others praised the training’s practicality and clarity: “This training has been a huge learning curve and a major turning point in terms of delivery and excellence. It has been very practical and impactful, with well-designed content that directly addresses the needs of organisations and individuals in leadership.” For many participants, the training served as a wake-up call, prompting them to re-evaluate their leadership approaches and organisational strategies. It provided a valuable opportunity for reflection, growth, and networking, ultimately empowering them to drive meaningful change in their respective organisations.

From Insights to Action

Each workshop concluded with participants developing action plans aimed at applying these leadership insights within their organisations. It was inspiring to witness the enthusiasm and commitment with which participants approached this process, ready to return to their organisations equipped not just with new knowledge, but with concrete strategies to implement and drive meaningful change.

Looking Forward

We are proud to have facilitated these workshops with WACSI (Civic Space Resource Hub) and are excited to see how participants translate their insights into impactful initiatives. We remain committed to supporting leadership development, organisational growth, and a more resilient civic landscape across West Africa.

Together, we can build stronger organisations, empower leaders, and drive sustained impact in our communities.