President John Dramani Mahama has appointed the Millennium Development Authority (MiDA) as the government’s primary focal institution for coordinating philanthropic and grant-based partnerships, in a move aimed at strengthening Ghana’s ability to attract and manage international development financing.
The designation, formally communicated in a letter dated September 19, 2025, was addressed to MiDA’s Chairperson and copied to the Ministers of Finance and Foreign Affairs.
The President cited MiDA’s “track record of technical excellence, fiduciary discipline, and effective delivery” as the foundation for the decision.
According to the letter, the new mandate is intended to streamline Ghana’s engagement with major global philanthropic organizations while ensuring alignment with the country’s national development priorities.
“This designation affirms Government’s confidence in MiDA’s institutional strength,” the President wrote, pointing to the authority’s historical success in implementing large-scale projects such as the Millennium Challenge Corporation (MCC) Compacts.
Under its expanded role, MiDA will act as the central coordinating body for all government dealings with philanthropic partners.
Its responsibilities include aligning philanthropic initiatives with national strategies such as the Feed Ghana Programme and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), managing secured grants, and overseeing transparent procurement systems.
MiDA is expected to work closely with international philanthropic giants, including the Open Society Foundation (OSF), the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Mastercard Foundation, and others, to channel funding into impactful projects.
President Mahama has also directed MiDA to collaborate with the Ministry of Finance, sector ministries, and other key organizations to unlock new streams of development financing.
“We are confident that under your leadership, MiDA will excel in this strategic role,” the President noted, adding that Ghana is poised to emerge as a trusted global partner in philanthropy.
Observers say the decision marks a strategic shift that could enhance Ghana’s credibility on the global stage, allowing the country not only to attract more grants but also to ensure that such partnerships deliver measurable and lasting benefits to its citizens.
