It was a joyful moment last Tuesday, October 22, 2025 in the Shai Osudoku District of the Greater Accra Region, as residents and school children poured onto the streets to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Ford Foundation’s West Africa office.
The celebration featured a tree-planting exercise and culminated in a durbar that brought together chiefs, community members, opinion leaders, civil society representatives, schoolchildren, policymakers, members of the media, and other interest groups.
The event was organized by the Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC) in collaboration with the Shai-Osudoku District Assembly, under the theme “From Nation Building to Social Justice.”
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In an address read on his behalf, Hon. Ignatius Godfred Dordoe, the District Chief Executive of Shai -Osudoku District Assembly was delighted to host celebrations in honor of the Ford Foundation, recognizing its landmark achievements in Ghana and across West Africa in the fields of social justice and philanthropy.
Mr Dordoe indicated that the 65th anniversary of the Ford Foundation’s unwavering commitment to West Africa marks a significant milestone, one that the people of Shai- Osudoku consider a privilege to be part of.
He noted that, for six and a half decades, the Foundation’s work has resonated not only throughout West Africa but also within local communities, championing governance and social justice without boundaries.
“Here, we strive equally for equitable development for our people, we seek an environment that do not only support our livelihood but our health and well-being. We seek education that leverages our aspirations and therefore we happily share in the values of the Ford Foundation, an indispensable catalyst for change, a steadfast partner driving progress across this dynamic West Africa region of ours.”
“In Dodowa, we have a rich historical heritage that also shares in the values of Ford Foundation. When we talk about the environment and culture, Dodowa stands tall. For many years, the “Dodowa forest” has been a popular folklore phrase in Ghana and dare say, West Africa. Our land and forest have not only been a place of cultural significance but a place that signifies environmental stewardship and a rich cultural heritage.
“We know trees symbolize resilience, community, and life but today, we are called to fight environmental degradation caused by illegal logging, mining and practices that threatens livelihoods and health, our children’s future and the future of humanity,” Mr Dordoe added.
The Head of Policy and Programmes at ISODEC, Mr Bernard Anaba noted, “We in ISODEC are happy to have crossed path with the Ford Foundation in 2014 and since then we had an enduring partnership relationship in the area of the environment, natural resources and social justice.”
Mr Anaba said Ford Foundation’s remarkable philanthropic achievement in the fields of education, democratic and natural resources governance, the environment, climate change, social justice and gender in West Africa is worth celebrating.
He added, “Today, we gather to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the Ford Foundation’s achievements in the history of social justice and philanthropy and unwavering commitment to West Africa. For six and a half decades, the Foundation has been an indispensable catalyst for change, a reliable partner driving progress across this dynamic region, and with $280 million to the International Fellowships Program, the grant supports thousands of graduate and postgraduate scholars from Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East. The Foundation also commits an additional $150 million for the Partnership for Higher Education particularly in Africa.
“Around the world, the Ford Foundation gives hope to many people who are excluded from the political, economic, and social institutions that shape people’s lives. In addressing this reality of people and communities, Ford Foundation’s vision of social justice, seeks a world in which all individuals, communities, and people work toward the protection of their human rights and are active participants in the decisions that affect them. To support this vision, the Foundation has pledged $420 million over five years to tackle gender inequality and address the growing gender-based violence epidemic in societies. This support reinforces the need for a care-based economy, increase workplace equality for women and brings critical resources to women’s rights organizations around the world. “
Mr Anaba continued, “Ford Foundation remains the tap-root of CSOs in Africa and we remain its branches”! Their support has cascaded into the communities and the lives of marginalized populations! Without the taproot, the branches are worthless; and so, we want to celebrate Ford Foundation @65 with these trees to be planted”. The symbolic act of tree planting captures that vision. Trees are the lungs of our planet. They are the symbols of hope, growth, and will be the enduring legacy of the Foundation. They embody the Ford Foundation’s investment not only in social, economic and political progress but in environmental sustainability that preserves our community’s natural wealth for future generations.”
Source: Publicagenda.news
