I have decided to open this up for this discussion after a warm hearted lady in the United States who claims to have channelled much of her efforts and resources in helping a Ghanaian celebrity raise funds for his foundation contacted me saying; she is well informed that this celebrity is rather using the money meant for the underprivileged to finance his flamboyant lifestyle.
Even though the above is the last pushing factor, the recent report that a charity event organized by Bola Ray of Joy Fm to bring various Ghanaian celebrities together for the benefit of several autistic patients failed in attendance as many of these celebrities refused to show up is another driving force.
First of all, I will like to point out that it seems almost every Ghanaian celebrity has a FOUNDATION. I am overwhelmed by the use of the word ‘Foundation’ for these set ups which do not in anyway resemble or operate as such.
A foundation can be defined as an institution supported by an endowment, often which provides funds for charities, research, etc. Mostly, these institutions-Foundations have administrative or working structures with some form of legal recognition for their existence and operations.
The legal recognitions are crucial to help in regulating these bodies. They have in the past in several countries been used for opposing objectives and self enrichment of their cunning founders.
When it comes to our part of the world, the common trend is for every celebrity to claim to have founded a foundation. The administrative or even operating structures of these foundations cannot be defined or found.
Where do most of these foundations operate from? Who are the working minds pushing its objectives and tenets? Do not tell me it is the celebrity founder and her mother…
I have no issue with the existence of these so called foundations. In fact, I commend these initiatives but the lack of regulations and accountability in this field has opened a floodgate.
There are thousands of foundations already existing in Ghana, why can’t these celebrities pick any of these ones and support them rather than to establish new ones to champion the same cause? What is the sagacity in duplication of functions?
I am compelled to say that, in actual sense these foundations are gimmicks. Donating a piece of yam on your birthday does not establish for you a foundation. A foundation as an institution goes beyond a yearly desire to donate in front of cameras.
What is extensively worrying is the fact that genuine giving people are being induced by these celebrities using their so called foundations to make donations which never get to the deserving recipients. The real foundations are put at a colossal disadvantage.
In fact, if these celebrities have untamed heart of giving, they will champion this cause easily by supporting charities which are doing so well but struggling to maintain their operations in our communities. Better still, they would have put every activity on halt and come out in their numbers to support a charity call by Bola Ray.
This is not a battle of ownership where everyone has to owe a foundation, rather it is a battle of joining hands for the common good of the less privileged and needy individuals in our societies.
In light of the above, what is the most suitable answer to the question…Are All These Countless Unregulated Celebrity Foundations Really Necessary?
On point, I have also been wondering why everyone of these stars MUST set up a foundation. and anytime they make donations, they have to take camera men with them. giving is from the heart and you do not have to set up a charity to be able to give away to the people you care about. they have turned it into publicity stunt
i also wonder why this foundation foundation? In america, those celebrities have millions of money but not all of them have even set up a foundation. Most of them are rather supporting their communities through already established foundations as you noted. Or they are supporting the foundations of their co-celebrities and make donations to them rather.
When we are together fighting the same thing, we can succeed that everyone wanting glory and going their own way.
@TiffanyBabe, I agree with you, the Ghana celebs should reader help co-celebrities, but you
know the mind of black-men…. greedy and everything is me me me… But if these so c
@TiffanyBabe, <but if these so called celebs are using the money on them self, thats satanic!!!!
i’ve tot of this also. what i get from reading this article is it seems some of these celebs r confusing giving with foundation
I cnt believ thes guys ar talkn bout this now..jst ystday i was watchn juliet ibrahim on tv sayn she is settin up a foundatin & i was lyk..whats up thes foundation? Who’s gonna tel thm start thinkn
I’m very glad you brought this up. Like Chris &Tiffany have already stated, supporting what has already been established or one that is struggling to survive is the best solution.Most of these ‘one man’ foundation would end up collapsing along the line. The sad part is that, the ordinary man who is helping the poor and needy unconditionally will go unnoticed……….Do good in the dark, and it will come out in the light when necessary .
Yeah i agree with this article paaa..too much foundation in ghana infact we hve to start abolishing sum of them..ad3n y in God’s name does every celeb wants to own a foundation?u will jst know it rite there sumthings r not adding up..sum1 tell these ppl sum ghanains r tired of this so call foundations!abaa
hahaha..latest fashion in town..foundation craze..sumtyms i fink sum r jst plain dumb..wnt plenty money 4 free. n gve coins in frnt of a cam.mtchew..Does genny or omo sexy hve sum? abaa
Well articulated and point made. These celebrities are thinking we are fools. Most of these foundations are not even audited, we don’t know how much they make. scam bag for these people. Glad you brought this up Chris
My 10 year old nephew read the comments and said , Uncle some people can,t spell properly. I know folks wants to take the short cut , but lets remember the next generation . Word to the wise .
@Nii, dez realy nofin wrng wit it coz thes ar nt articls on daily grafik..tel ur nephew 2 check kidz sites. “DON’T HATE ON MY COMMENT”
Well written article with great points.There need to be regulations on these so called foundations.
hello brothers and sisters,they are setting up foundation as another form of fraud.with the name foundation everyone will donate thinking it is meant for less privileged.
money doesn’t come always so another way of making extra money is setting up foundation…..
I too am not sure where this sudden craze of setting up foundations all over the place has come from? I was askingbmy BF if they do it coz they genuinely care or if they do it for publicity and money. I guess if they dint publicize it how will they encourage others to know what issues are going on and donate? But I still feel as many have said they could easily work with existing successful or unsuccessful charities! Otherwise there intentions become questionable! Id rather donate my dosh to a registered reputable genuine charity as oppose to one where the money is being used to pay for someone’s holiday or Gucci bag!