Localization must transfer decision-making power, not just project responsibilities
A local NGO is invited to a project meeting after the proposal has already been approved. When the donor selects the problem, budget, indicators and deadline, the Ghanaian NGO is expected to recruit participants, organize community meetings, collect data and account for every cedi. When the project performs well, it is pronounced as locally led. Nevertheless, the local partner had little authority to decide what should be done, how resources should be used or how success should be measured. That is not meaningful localization. It is the transfer of project responsibilities without a corresponding transfer of decision-making power. Genuine localization should place Ghanaian organisations and communities at the centre of identifying needs, designing interventions, allocating resources, managing risks, and assessing results. International donors and NGOs could still provide financing, technical support, and global advocacy, but they should not retain near-total control or treat local organisations merely as implementers.