Search results

Despite the increasing awareness on students’ volunteerism globally, and its potential benefit to national development, there is limited research information on the subject in developing countries including Ghana. The purpose of this paper is to assess the willingness of university undergraduate students in Ghana to volunteer for non-governmental organisation (NGO) work.

The research used a quantitative research approach using a descriptive survey design. The data were drawn from a survey of 678 students from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana.

The study shows high willingness of university undergraduate students to volunteer for NGO work. The motives relate more to students’ search for understanding of people and their context, values and career enhancement, than for their social, protection and recognition needs. The students are more likely to engage in NGO activities relating to peer education, counselling and environmental protection, than in administrative duties, relief and advocacy.

The study suggests that there is a great potential for students’ volunteerism in Ghana, and recommends that Ghanaian universities should integrate volunteerism into their curricula to prepare and link students to volunteer opportunities in NGO and the service sectors.

The case study provides new thought and suggestions on students’ volunteerism to developing countries and Ghana in particular. The evidence and context of likelihood to volunteer among tertiary students are lessons for developing countries with similar context to Ghana.

Despite the role of non‐governmental organisations (NGOs) as actors in development, the issue of local NGOs' sustainability remains a major concern in many developing countries such as Ghana. This study seeks to determine key factors that can influence local NGOs based on a Ghanaian case study.

The research used a combination of quantitative and qualitative research approaches.

The study identifies that the availability of funds, quality material resources, supportive leadership, development of needs‐based and demand‐driven programmes, and effective management can have a significant influence on the sustainability of local NGOs. Significantly, leadership emerged as the most important factor to organisational sustainability of local NGOs. Equally, the availability and quality of material resources for work were least critical to local NGO sustainability, although they were all very important.

The case study suggests that local NGOs can adopt several measures to ensure their sustainability. These include the writing of good needs‐based and demand‐driven project proposals, ensuring transparency and accountability, leadership training and lobbying for resources including funds, especially, from local sources.

Although the findings are based on Ghanaian local NGO sustainability scenario, the lessons can be useful to NGOs within similar contexts.