STAR-Ghana a multi-donor pooled funding mechanism, has pumped about GH¢4.8 million to support Civil Society Organisations to enhance transparency, fairness, free and peaceful Election 2012.

"Funded by DFID, DANIDA and EU, STAR-Ghana acknowledges the critical role CSOs and non-state actors play in consolidating democracy hence the support to ensure that the elections are devoid of intimidation and conflicts", Mr Ibrahim-Tanko Amidu, Programme Manager, told the Ghana News Agency (GNA) in Accra.

Documents made available to the GNA on Monday indicate that, STAR-Ghana has so far disbursed a total of GH¢4,837,565.75 to 45 CSOs to undertake election related advocacy campaigns across the country, including Ghana Federation of the Disabled which received GH¢332,943.00 to organise the participation of all persons with disability in Elections 2012.

The CSOs include: Ghana Network for Peacebuilding (GHANEP), GH¢200,000.00 towards Ghana Alert project to mitigate electoral violence; and Ghana Independent Braodcasters Association (GIBA), GH¢200,000.00 for responsible reportage by GIBA members for election 2012.

Ghana Community Radio Network, GH¢200,000.00; Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC), GH¢200,179.00; Institute of Economic Affairs, GH¢301,100.00 to organize Presidential Debate and set up National Enforcement Bodies; Institute for Democratic Governance (IDEG), GH¢200,000.00 for sustaining credible and peaceful elections and national cohesion in 2012.

The Ark Foundation, GH¢200,000.000 for nuisance project; Media Foundation for West Africa, GH¢150,000.00 to use media to promote decent language; National Media Commission, GH¢100,000.00 to improve the media regulatory framework for election 2012; and Christian Council of Ghana, GH¢120,000.00.

Others are: Child Rights International, GH¢120,000.00 to build political party consensus on education policy; Ghana Journalists Association GH¢100,000.00 to use the media to enhance the transparency and credibility of Election 2012; Ghana Pentecostal and Charismatic Council,GH¢80,000.00; and Legal Resources Centre, GH¢80,000.00.

The National Catholic Secretariat for Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference, GH¢150,280.00; Action for Sustainable Development, GH¢60,000.00; Ahenbronoso Care Foundation, GH¢30,000.00; Alliance for Reproductive Health Rights, GH¢60,000.00 and Blogging Ghana, GH¢100,000.00.

The Centre for the Promotion of Democratic Governance, GH¢65,000.00; Centre for Alternative Development, GH¢60,000.00; Center for Environmental Impact Analysis GH¢100,000.00; Center for the Development of People, GH¢60,000.00 and Chaufra Company limited GH¢60,000.00.

Other STAR-Ghana beneficiaries are: Choice Ghana, GH¢70,000.00; Development Gateway International, GH¢70,000.00; Drama Network, GH¢98,579.00; and Ghana Collaboration – GII, GACC and CDD, GH¢120, 000.00.

Northern Ghana Aid GH¢150,000.00; Northern Sector Action on Awareness Centre GH¢60,000.00; Pan-African Organisation for Sustainable Development GH¢70,000.00; and Partners in Participatory Development, GH¢50,000.00.

Penplusbytes,GH¢150,000.00; Skyy Media Group, GH¢80,000.00; Society for Youth Policy and Poverty Alleviation, GH¢70,000.00; Sustainable Aid through Voluntary Establishment, GH¢50,000.00; Voice of People with Disability Ghana, GH¢36,280.75 and WACAM, GH¢100,000.00.

West Africa Network for Peacebuilding, GH¢100,000.00; Women in Law and Development in Africa, GH¢78,204.00; Youth Action on Reproductive Order, GH¢40,000.00; Youth Alive, GH¢80,000.00 and Youth and Women Empowerment, GH¢35,000.00.**