Most people in Africa are vulnerable to all the life shocks associated with poverty, and social
protection systems are now deemed integral to the achievement of the Millennium
Development Goals, especially in health, food security, education, shelter, social/gender
equity and livelihood. State social protection systems are inadequate, and the poor and
vulnerable are overwhelmingly dependent on non-state actors (NSAs) as their primary and,
often, only source of support. NSAs—especially community groups, and also NGOs, faithbased
organisations, work-based associations, etc.—have proliferated in response to state
default, and are now, arguably, pivotal to the social protection capacity and performance of
all developing countries. Yet there is little quantitative or qualitative data on this vital
resource on which so many millions of people depend. NSAs have not even been
comprehensively mapped, and research on their services and operational systems is scant.
Less still has been scientifically studied of their characteristics and governance. To help
redress this situation, the University of Ghana’s Centre for Gender Studies and Advocacy is
working with an umbrella programme of the Partnership for African Social Governance
Research (PASGR) to study the extent, role, operations, reach, prospects and problems of
NSAs—especially in the most untended area of their governance structures. This working
paper presents the findings of an initial mixed-method study to map 348 NSAs in four
communities in Central Region of Ghana and case study the characteristics and governance
structures of eight work-based associations in both traditional and contemporary occupations
in urban and rural contexts. This paper draws on the work of Brody (2009) to explore levels
of inclusiveness and transparency as key indicators of likely performance potential, and
provides pioneering data and recommendations to inform all stakeholders, including policy
makers. Priorities for further research are also identified.