Stakeholders from Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), security agencies, state institutions and the media in the Central Region have commended STAR-Ghana, a multi donor pool for its immense contribution to deepening local governance and transparency.

Speaking at the Regional launch of STAR Ghana Foundation held in Cape Coast on Thursday, they said the civil society space in the country has witnessed historic successes with the advent of the funding agency in whipping up citizens interest in active local governance across the country.

Expressing their felicitations, Mr Ofori Boateng, the Regional Director of the National Commission for Civic Education (NCCE) said STAR Ghana's impressive work had been effective in maintaining national peace before, during and after polls especially in the year 2016.

This, he said, was an enviable feat that must be sustained and improved upon with other state actors to maintain national peace, cohesion and tranquillity.

He rallied the unflinching support of his outfit towards educating the people on their rights and responsibilities to enhance national development.

Mr George Ben Smith, Vice President of the Regional Chamber of Commerce and Industry on behalf of the Association, donated a cheque of an undisclosed amount and urged corporate bodies to support the institution to deliver on it mandate.

The Chamber said it is the responsibility of all institutions to collaborate and support the Foundation to create a well-informed and active Ghanaian citizenry to advance democracy, accountability and social inclusion.

Nana George Frimpong, Regional President of the Federation of Persons With Disabilities (FPWDs), also lauded STAR Ghana for supporting and helping to educate their members on their rights and responsibilities.

They were also grateful for advocating for special braille ballot papers for the blind in the 2016 polls and subsequent elections which according to him boost the morale of PWDs in the election.

Launching the STAR Ghana Foundation, Nana Asantewa Afadzinu, a member of the Governing Council, explained that her outfit was a Ghanaian-led organisation exemplifying the Ghana beyond aid agenda, supporting locally grown solutions to advance Ghana’s development to contribute to sustainable and inclusive change.

She said the Foundation was being built on the successes of the former to chart a new course of social change and inclusiveness with civil society in ensuring a self reliant society.

It would continue working with civil society to connect their interest with others and help to ensure all voices were heard by decision makers, locally and nationally.

Nana Afadzinu said the Foundation belongs to all Ghanaians with the aim of creating platforms for ordinary people, particularly the most marginalized in society, to become active citizens in the development process.

To this end, the regional launch of the new STAR Ghana Foundation will create awareness among key stakeholders and the public about the STAR Ghana Foundation, its vision, mission, functions and operational areas across the ten regions of Ghana.

The launch was graced by Mr Kwamena Duncan, Regional Minister, Mr Ernest Arthur, Municipal Chief Executive, assembly members, civil society organizations, representatives of associations, students and the media.