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October 27, 2024: The U.S. Department of State honors Dintie Sule Tayiru as a 2024 Global Anti-Racism Champion. PTF has had a 16 year partnership with SAVE Ghana, the civil society organization headed by Mr. Tayiru. PTF and PTF Europe have been proud supporters of the successful projects that they have partnered with SAVE Ghana. The State Department said: “Mr. Tayiru is being honored for advancing the human rights of marginalized groups and promoting inclusive governance and equity for Fulbe communities.” Sule commended the US Department of State for acknowledging SAVE-Ghana, a CSO operating in Tumu, a remote community in the extreme North of Ghana, by saying: “These rewards are given to organizations in Accra, Dakar, or Lagos, but usually international organizations never reach remote communities like Tumu, where communities are addressing the most basic problems of societal integration.” Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said at the award ceremony in Washington DC on October 21, 2024, “As executive director of SAVE-Ghana, Dintie Sule Tayiru promotes the inclusion of the Fulbe people, a marginalized ethnic group in Ghana.  Because of this remarkable work, many Fulbe now have access to basic services like clean water; they’ve been able to register to vote for the very first time.  With greater representation, they can more effectively advocate for greater access to public services.” The State Department noted: “Mr. Tayiru has worked tirelessly as Executive Director of SAVE-Ghana… His work with local and regional actors has led to significant reforms, including participatory access to local governance structures, lower cattle tax rates and mediation efforts between Fulbe and non-Fulbe communities. He is dedicated to continuing his work to address structural policy issues that prevent marginalized peoples from enjoying basic human rights and accessing essential services. He holds a Master of Philosophy in Social Policy and Service Management. Mr. Tayiru is being honored for advancing the human rights of marginalized groups and promoting inclusive governance and equity for Fulbe communities.”

The use of innovative approaches and constructive engagement resulted in demonstrable improvements to education service delivery in the Upper West Region of Ghana within the context of a social accountability project, according to the project managers.

Strengthening Stakeholder Engagement and Improved Governance in the COVID 19 Response in Ghana’s Upper West RegionDOWNLOAD CONCEPT NOTE The Government of Ghana has mobilized a lot of resources, both financial and physical, to address the coronavirus pandemic. For example, the World Bank is providing $100 million in as short, medium and long-term support to assist the country in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic, including  $35 million in emergency support to help prevent, detect, and respond to the COVID-19 pandemic through the Ghana Emergency Preparedness and Response Program (EPRP). In spite of these investments, health facilities are complaining of a blatant lack of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and there is little education about the pandemic. The supply chain of PPEs and other funds received by the government are not transparent and there is a high risk of corruption based on experience with other instances of health problems and recent disaster response and relief. It is obvious Ghana’s government alone cannot bring the situation under control in the coming months, in spite of the many resources available. CSOs are a valuable addition to public services to demonstrate, document and disseminate to the appropriate authorities an example of effective use of resources to alleviate the impact of the COVID 19 pandemic. In view of this background, PTF is supporting longtime partner, SAVE-Ghana, to design and test an approach to implement the Strengthening Stakeholder Engagement and Improved Governance in the COVID 19 Response in Ghana’s Upper West Region, with the overall aim of contributing to increased efficiency and effectiveness in the management of COVID 19 funds and resources. The program is: 1) supporting Ghana Health Services (GHS) to provide information on COVID 19 preventive measures, procurements and distribution of supplies; 2) monitoring of public expenditures on COVID 19; and 3) engaging with authorities to provide feedback to improve COVID 19 response program implementation. The initiative is initially targeting the Sisaala East district and the Sisaala West districts of the upper west region of Ghana, with a cumulative population of 160,000, over a six month period. Due to the deprived nature of the districts, information about resource allocation for a COVID 19 response is lacking among citizen groups who are supposed to be the prime target groups, thus serving as a breeding ground both for the virus and for government officials to abuse the system.

Internally Generated Funds (IGFs) refer to any resources mobilized locally to meet local development objectives and improve the quality of life for citizens in Ghana. The funds derive from different sources, among them, rates, lands, fees and licenses. The collection and management falls within the political responsibility of district assemblies (DA) …

To tackle Ghana’s backlog in guaranteeing universal primary education, the Government, in 2005, decided to abolish the system of school fees previously in place to finance basic schools. Instead, it established a system of capitation grants, a yearly allocation per student per school, geared toward transparently funding all classroom activities, including providing for salaries and administrative costs. Yet, the administration in charge continued to badly manage and weakly control the funds alotted, leading to substantial waste of public resources and substandard education outcomes.

Internally Generated Funds (IGFs) refer to any resources mobilized locally to meet local development objectives and improve the quality of life for citizens in Ghana. The funds derive from different sources, among them, rates, lands, fees and licenses. The collection and management falls within the political responsibility of district assemblies (DA).

Featured Publications Publications The Role of CSOs to Ensure Integrity in Climate Finance and Action This paper for the Second Symposium on Supranational Responses to Corruption explores how partnerships with local CSOs could help advance integrity on climate finance and action. Partnering with Civil Society for Citizen-Driven Country Engagement, Delivery, and Accountability in IDA- and IBRD-Financed Operations Report This report makes ten recommendations on how partnerships with citizens and civil society organizations can be deepened in IDA and IBRD engagement, financing, and accountability activities at the country level. PTF Tools and Approaches Report - 2001 to 2022 This report is a reference document containing the tools and approaches that have been used by PTF, the Asia and Europe affiliates, and the Africa Committee over the last two decades in a multitude of countries. Civil Society Monitoring in the Health Sector Hundreds of millions of people have to pay bribes when using public services. This situation has not improved for more than a decade. There is a strong case for rethinking the current anti-corruption approaches in which funding for anti-corruption and good governance programs is overwhelmingly allocated to government efforts (supply side) with relatively little given to non-state actors (demand side). Increasingly evidence has shown that civil society can make a meaningful difference in the furtherance of anti-corruption aims. Citizens Against Corruption: Report from the Frontline Over the last dozen years PTF has supported with money and expert advice more than 250 projects across the developing world to reduce corruption. Now, in a brand new book, Landell-Mills reviews the record: he highlights the civil society organizations that are making a real difference to secure basic human and civil rights for tens of thousands of poor people; he describes fascinating projects in Asia, Africa, Latin America and in Central & eastern Europe; and, he brings to the fore the key lessons that all engaged in the fight against corruption need to use to advance their work. CSO Engagement to Deliver the Agenda 2030 Anti-Corruption Targets: The Case for a Supranational Initiative Hundreds of millions of people have to pay bribes when using public services. This situation has not improved for more than a decade. There is a strong case for rethinking the current anti-corruption approaches in which funding for anti-corruption and good governance programs is overwhelmingly allocated to government efforts (supply side) with relatively little given to non-state actors (demand side). Increasingly evidence has grown that civil society can make a meaningful difference in the furtherance of anti-corruption aims. Guide for Monitoring Public Procurement: A Tool for Civil Society By overseeing the manner in which public money is used, civil society can significantly contribute to strengthening governance and building bridges between society and public authorities at all levels. International experience has shown that CSOs can play an active and important role in the direct monitoring of public procurement, thus contributing to increased transparency at all stages of the procurement cycle. They can demand accountability when public contracting authorities fail to observe the principles of transparency, integrity, and efficiency in the procurement process or are part of corrupt schemes by referring cases of [...]

That is the question PTF Advisor Dr. Hady Fink considered during his presentation “Engaging Civil Society in the Fight Against Corruption” during the 14th Commonwealth Regional Conference for Heads of Anti-Corruption Agencies in Africa, Accra, Ghana, May 6-11, 2024. Anti-corruption agencies (ACAs) should exist to serve the people Dr. Roger Koranteng, the Commonwealth Secretariat’s head of public sector governance, indicated the cost of corruption in stark terms: “While we tend to think of corruption in purely monetary terms, the truth is, it costs us the quality of our lives—our human and national development.” Research indicates that corruption disproportionately affects the poor and vulnerable, who are least able to cope with its consequences.  Because corruption has such negative impacts on the lives of people, civil society is a major constituent of ACAs, a stakeholder in their work, and the primary beneficiary of their success.  As such, it should be actively engaged, but in most countries civil society is a valuable resource that is underutilized. ACAs working alone cannot successfully counter widespread and multi-faceted corruption: they need to work in collaboration with other state and non-state actors, especially civil society. The challenge is how to do this effectively.  CSOs, acting on behalf of citizens, can facilitate outreach and collaboration, convene multi-stakeholder activities, and generally function as an interface between ACAs and the public they serve and in whose interests they act. The first question is “What do CSOs bring to the collaboration and how can they support ACAs?”   CSOs have assets, including expertise, experience, networks, and often research capacity.  At the national level, they canhave input into ACA strategies, policies and programs, endorse their work, provide knowledge and channel information, and engage in advocacy.  But it is at the local level that they can perhaps be of the greatest assistance.  Often, people outside of the capital city do not know much about ACAs, what they do, or the results they have achieved.  It is the daily life of ordinary people that is most affected by corruption, and it is precisely at that level that CSOs are able to intervene on behalf of civil society. Because CSOs work with and represent different interest groups they can access communities that ACAs find hard to reach, facilitate two-way information flows and key messages, and raise local-level awareness of ACA work.  CSOs often live and work close to target groups and are regarded as local members of the community and trusted interlocuters.  That can help build public confidence in ACAs and their work.  CSOs’ local knowledge and relationships enable them to uncover evidence of corruption and channel information to ACAs for action.  Over time, collaboration with CSOs can help build positive public perceptions of ACAs and broaden their base of support. Third-party monitoring by CSOs can assist ACAs CSOs can also make a key contribution to the work of ACAs by promoting and supporting accountability and transparency through independent third-party monitoring that verifies activities, programs and results.  PTF has worked with CSOs on third-party monitoring in health, education and public procurement in a variety of countries.  This independent monitoring adds value by uncovering problems—including corruption—bringing […]

PTF PTF’s Vision: We envisage a world free of corruption in which citizens trust public officials and institutions and hold them accountable and responsive to their communities’ needs. PTF’s Mission: We support innovative civil society organization-led and related approaches to reduce corruption, increase transparency, strengthen governance, and enhance accountability in low- and middle-income economies and widely shares knowledge gleaned through its work. PTF Read about PTF's partnerships on four continents Partnerships /partnerships/ Projects Learn more about PTF's projects around the world /projects/ Knowledge Sharing Read PTF's publications /Knowledge Sharing/ News and UpdatesSEE ALL NEWS Spotlight on Dintie Sule Tayiru - SAVE Ghana October 27, 2024: The U.S. Department of State honors Dintie Sule Tayiru as a 2024 Global Anti-Racism Champion. PTF has had a 16 year partnership with SAVE Ghana, the civil society organization headed by Mr. Tayiru. PTF and PTF Europe have been proud supporters of the successful projects that they have partnered with SAVE Ghana. Read the full article here. Wayne Nissly Appointed President and Chief Executive Officer at the Partnership for Transparency (PTF) October 1, 2024: Wayne Nissly, former Chief Executive Officer of Peace Winds, has joined PTF as its President and Chief Executive Officer. “Wayne has a distinguished career and promises to bring fresh perspectives and new energy to our organization to build on the successful record that PTF has attained,” stated PTF’s Co-Chairs on behalf of the Board of Directors, Jean-Louis Sarbib and Hasan Tuluy. Read the full article here. To Be "Better" The World Bank Must Center Citizens October 3, 2024: PTF's Vinay Bhargava and AccountabilityLab's Blair Glenclose call for World Bank action. Read the full article here. Advocating for Deeper Partnerships between Civil Society Organizations and IDA grants to the Poorest Countries May 13, 2024: PTF's new report details specific approaches for enhancing the effectiveness of projects funded by the World Bank’s concessional affiliate, the International Development Association (IDA), through deepening engagements with CSOs. The report makes ten recommendations for how the Bank can more closely involve local civil society in its work at the country level, beyond consultations. The publication of this report has been followed by a campaign to call for funding for the expansion of partnerships with local civil society organizations (CSOs) as an integral part of a bigger and better next round of funding for IDA (IDA21: 2025-2028).  Please find more information on the report, the 2 page summary, and the latest updates on the campaign here. Malawi Pilot Project Highlights Critical Lessons for Promoting Transparency and Accountability in Public Infrastructure September 20, 2024: The completion of a pilot project in Malawi provided deep insights into shortcomings in public infrastructure contracting, paths to meaningful transparency and accountability improvements, and the vital roles that civil society organizations can and should play. It also demonstrated the capacity of trained CSOs to monitor public infrastructure procurement, and the benefits this can have. Read the full article here. Learning Critical Lessons from Healthcare Activism - Argentina August 16, 2024: Providing citizens with essential healthcare information should be a fundamental duty of government, but that was not the case in Argentina when COVID-19 struck. A series of [...]

  The heads of anti-corruption agencies from 21 African member states of the Commonwealth met in Accra, Ghana, from May 6-11, 2024. The theme of the conference was “Strengthening Institutions and Promoting Transparency: A means of fighting Corruption in Commonwealth Africa”. PTF Advisor Hady Fink addressed the meeting, emphasizing the importance of partnerships between government agencies dedicated to anti-corruption and civil society organizations. He also led a session entitled “Engaging Civil Society in the Fight against Corruption”. The importance of the meeting was highlighted by Commonwealth Secretary-General Patricia Scotland KC, who noted: “The global cost of corruption exceeds $3.5 trillion dollars each year. In developing countries, funds lost to corruption are around 10 times the amount of official development assistance. Africa loses more than $50 billion a year to illicit financial flows. Indeed, over the past 50 years, Africa’s loss to corruption has exceeded the total of all the Official Development Assistance received during the same period. […] What we lose to corruption is more than enough to lift everybody out of poverty and deliver the SDGs. Tackling corruption is a priority of the highest order for the Commonwealth Secretariat because we are serious about implementing the SDGs.” More information: Hady Fink’s Presentation at the 14th Commonwealth Regional Conference What can civil society organizations contribute to the work of Anti-Corruption Authorities?