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?
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