The Rural Initiatives for Self-Empowerment Ghana (RISE-Ghana) has been honoured as the Outstanding Local NGO in Rights-based Health and Governance Initiatives at the 4th edition of the National Philanthropy Awards organised by the Business Executive.
The award recognised the organisation’s outstanding contribution to promoting health, governance, and human rights through community-centred development initiatives across the country.
It was among 60 other NGOs and personalities who were honoured for outstanding leadership and contributions to promoting sustainable development.
Mr Awal Ahmed Kariama, the Executive Director of RISE-Ghana, speaking after receiving the award, described the recognition as both a call to action to increase impact and a humbling honour.
“Actors in the philanthropic space barely get recognised and celebrated, so any effort at that must be commended,” Mr Kariama said.
“This achievement has been possible due to the dedication of a great team, past and current staff, donors, the communities we serve, and partners, including our gallant media friends who have helped showcase our work.”
Reflecting on the organisation’s journey, Mr Kariama recalled some of the challenges RISE-Ghana had faced in implementing community projects, citing the 20-bed maternity unit built for the Chuchuliga community in the Upper East Region with funding from the Australian High Commission.
He said land litigation nearly stalled the project until a woman and her husband released their farmland to resolve the dispute, overcoming the typical “Not in My Backyard” (NIMBY) syndrome.
Mr Kariama dedicated the award to RISE-Ghana staff, past and present, as well as donors and partners, including CDD-Ghana, UNICEF-Ghana, and the Australian High Commission.
He also paid tribute to the Ghana Health Service, particularly retired Builsa North District Health Director Samuel Angyogdem, “who, while serving as Regional TB Coordinator for the Upper East Region in 2012, saw potential in a then very embryonic RISE-GHANA and gave us a letter of recommendation that opened doors to our first funding from the Stop TB Partnership/Global Fund.”
Mr Kariama said that recommendation became the launchpad for RISE-Ghana’s evolution into a strong human rights and health system strengthening organisation.
The National Philanthropy Awards celebrate institutions and individuals whose interventions contribute significantly to social and economic development through philanthropy and impact-driven initiatives.
