The Renel Ghana Foundation has made Ghana proud on the global stage after actively participating in the Second World Summit for Social Development, held from November 3rd to 6th, 2025, in Doha, Qatar. The summit, which drew more than 14,000 participants from around the world, brought together heads of state, ministers, civil society leaders, development experts, and private sector representatives to discuss strategies for promoting inclusive growth, social justice, and sustainable development.
Representing Ghana at the prestigious event were Mr. Nelson Richardson-Mandela, Executive Director of Renel Ghana Foundation, and Ms. Latifa Abdul-Hadi, the Foundation’s Gender Equality and Social Inclusion Officer. Both delegates took part in plenary and thematic sessions where they shared insights from Ghana’s social development experiences and emphasized the importance of inclusion, gender equity, and people-centered policies.
The team participated in several thematic discussions, including the Civil Society Forum, Private Sector Forum, Advancing Disability Rights, Innovative Social Protection Systems, Strengthening Social Dialogue, and Advancing Care-centered Solutions for an Equal World. They also joined a side event organized by the African Union themed “No Social Development Without Inclusion.”
At the Civil Society Forum, Mr. Richardson-Mandela stressed the role of community-led initiatives in driving lasting social change and called for stronger partnerships between government and civil society. During the Private Sector Forum, Ms. Abdul-Hadi highlighted how public–private partnerships can be leveraged to promote gender equality, urging businesses to adopt socially responsible and inclusive models that benefit communities.
Renel Ghana Foundation also showcased its flagship initiative — the One-Stop Support Center for survivors of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and Intimate Partner Violence (IPV) — implemented under the Gender Rights and Empowerment Project in collaboration with SONGTABA and funded by the UN Trust Fund to End Violence Against Women. The initiative provides integrated legal, health, and psychosocial support services for survivors.
Reflecting on the summit, Mr. Richardson-Mandela described the experience as inspiring, saying, “The Doha Summit reaffirmed our collective responsibility to place people at the heart of development.”
Ms. Abdul-Hadi added, “Our discussions in Doha underscored the urgency of care-centered policies that protect and empower women and vulnerable groups.”
The Foundation’s participation reinforced its mission to advance social inclusion, gender equality, and participatory governance, and its ongoing commitment to ensuring that no one is left behind in Ghana’s development journey.
