The Ghana Developing Communities Association (GDCA), an NGO, headquartered in Tamale, has been honoured as the Best Organisation in Partnership and Collaborative Development in recognition of its outstanding work in community development in the northern parts of the country.
The award was conferred on the GDCA at the Northern Ghana Business Merit Awards, held in Tamale to celebrate the immense contributions of various organisations to the development of the northern parts of the country.
Alhaji Osman Abdel-Rahman, Executive Director of GDCA, in an interview with the press after the award was presented to the GDCA, described the feat as a recognition of the GDCA’s work over the years.
For 40 years now, GDCA has been committed to building resilient communities and working in partnership with other NGOs, government, and the private sector in Ghana and globally to influence inclusive development.
Alhaji Abdel-Rahman said, “Our philosophy is that every community, every person, every group is capable of changing their own situation if they have the opportunity and the knowledge about what problems exist and how they can work around to engage and ensure that these issues are addressed.”
He said, “And so, based on that philosophy, we have been working in the past 40 years to see how we can bring about change in communities that we work with, especially community groups, women groups, youth groups; those, who have less opportunities to make the best out of their conditions.”
He added, “Today, we are celebrating this feat on their behalf because they have made us who we are today.” And that is why we are here to be recognised for what we are able to achieve.”
Alhaji Abdel-Rahman said whilst this was not the first time GDCA had won an award, “this year is particularly special because we are just preparing to celebrate our 40th Anniversary. And this one has come very much like, very timely, and it works into all our plans and we really, really appreciate the fact that we have come this far.”
He expressed GDCA’s gratitude to all its donors, partners, supporters, and communities for their support over the years in assuring that the organisation kept pushing for lasting change in communities.
Alhaji Shani Alhassan Saibu, Northern Regional Minister, whose speech was read on his behalf, commended the awardees for complementing the efforts of government in transforming lives and communities in the region.
