Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA)

What Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA) does

The Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA) is a Ghana-based international non-governmental organization founded in September 2001 by members of the African diaspora to address human security, governance, and development challenges across West Africa. The organization runs six core programs — Human Security, Gender Equality, Governance, Youth Development, Arms Control & Disarmament, and Women Peace & Security — alongside two self-established networks (the National Network of Youth Groups founded in 2014 and the Women Mediators Network Ghana founded in 2022) that together span Ghana's 16 regions. FOSDA delivers its work through grassroots workshops, policy advocacy, research products such as its Violent Incidents Monitoring Reports, and convening roles with government, multilateral, and civil society counterparts; primary program areas include TVET financing advocacy, Women Peace Circles under the SURE Project for resilience against violent extremism in northern Ghana, and TPNW/ICAN disarmament advocacy.

FOSDA's revenue model is donor-funded rather than commercial: it operates on grants from institutional partners including OXFAM in Ghana, the UK's Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), the Canadian High Commission, Star Ghana Foundation, and the Government of Austria. The organization is led by Executive Director Theodora Williams Anti, governed by a Board of Directors, and operates with a lean team of approximately 19 staff and board members. There is no equity, no parent company, and no publicly disclosed financials; sustainability depends on multi-year grant cycles from bilateral and multilateral donors. Notable recent programmatic outputs include training 35 women mediators (2021), supporting 30 women electoral candidates (2018), engaging 200+ students in UNSCR 1325 outreach, and contributing over GHS 100,000 through a Domestic Revenue Mobilization project (2019).

The organization has limited proprietary technology — its core "product" portfolio consists of advocacy campaigns, policy frameworks, training curricula, and monthly media-monitored Violent Incidents Reports — and no commercial pricing model or customer billing function, since all programming is delivered free of charge to beneficiaries. FOSDA's competitive positioning rests on its human-security approach, its dual grassroots reach (NNYOG and WoMNet-Gh networks), and its institutional access to national policy frameworks such as Ghana's National Action Plan on Women, Peace and Security (GHANAP 2) and the National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA). Recent strategic milestones include Ghana's 2025 ratification of the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons (which FOSDA had advocated for), selection of its Ghana Youth Development and Enhancement Program (GYDEP) for the 2026 Global Youth Development Action Plan, and an Excellence and Influential Award (Africa Region) at the 5th Global Youth Work Conference 2025.

Name

Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA)

Legal name

Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA)

Website

https://fosda.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

2001

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

FOSDA is a Ghana-based international NGO founded in 2001 that delivers human security, governance, gender equality, youth development, arms control, and women-peace-and-security programs across West Africa, serving youth, women, persons with disabilities, and government institutions through donor-funded advocacy, training, research, and policy convening.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Civil Society and Peacebuilding Services

NAICS

Human Rights Organizations (813311), Social Advocacy Organizations (8133)

SIC

International Affairs (9721)

akta.pro primary industry

Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus & Resilience Programming (BPADAEAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Safeguarding, Accountability & Compliance (ESG, Gender/GBV, Do No Harm) (BPADAEAM)

Keywords

• Peace and security advocacy
• Women peace and security
• Arms control campaigns
• Youth empowerment programs
• Governance and human rights

Headquarters

HQ city

Accra

HQ country

Ghana

HQ region

Africa

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Donor Funding and Grants: FOSDA operates as a donor-funded non-profit organization receiving grants and project funding from international development organizations, foreign governments, and foundations. Major funders include OXFAM in Ghana, Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO), Canadian High Commission, and Star Ghana Foundation. Funding supports specific projects in areas such as youth development, women peace and security, arms control, governance, and TVET.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

FOSDA is a non-governmental civil society organization that delivers programming, advocacy, and research on human security, gender equality, governance, youth development, and arms control. It runs community-based capacity building, policy advocacy, and network initiatives in Ghana and across West Africa, and produces recurring research outputs such as the Violent Incidents Monitoring Reports.

Product overview

FOSDA is a civil society organization offering a portfolio of interconnected programs and initiatives rather than a unified technology product. Its core programs include Human Security, Gender Equality, Governance, Youth Development, Arms Control & Disarmament, and Women Peace & Security. These programs are supported by network initiatives including the National Network of Youth Groups (NNYOG) and Women Mediators Network Ghana (WoMNet-Gh). The organization also produces research products including Violent Incidents Monitoring Reports and manages youth empowerment initiatives such as the Ghana Youth Manifesto Project and Ghana Youth Development and Enhancement Program (GYDEP). The portfolio operates as program-based offerings focused on advocacy, capacity building, and policy influence rather than software products or technology platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Ghana Youth Manifesto: A youth-led initiative supported by FOSDA to amplify the voices of young Ghanaians and influence political parties' manifestos.
• Women Mediators Network - Ghana (WoMNet-Gh)
• National Network of Youth Groups (NNYOG)
• DAAKYE Leadership Project
• Ghana Youth Development and Enhancement Program (GYDEP)

Products and services

• Human Security Program A core FOSDA program that analyzes and addresses traditional and emerging security threats (including pandemics and regional conflicts) and their root causes of violence, using a human-centered, integrated approach. Targeted at communities, civil society, and policymakers.
• Gender Equality Program Program focused on bridging the gender equality and inclusion gap by empowering women and people living with disabilities politically and economically and promoting their participation in decision-making at all levels.
• Governance Program Security through Good Governance program that strengthens local government structures, promotes democracy and human rights, advocates for accountability and transparency, and addresses the implications of security issues for marginalized groups including women and young people.
• Youth Development Program Empowerment program for youth offering capacity building, mentoring, and skills development. Includes flagship initiatives such as the DAAKYE Leadership Project and the Ghana Youth Development and Enhancement Program (GYDEP).
• Arms Control & Disarmament Program Advocacy and campaign work on arms control, nuclear weapons prohibition, and responsible disarmament, including campaigns under the International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN) and national consultations on explosive weapons in populated areas.
• Women Peace & Security (WPS) Project Project focused on women's full and equal representation and participation in peace processes and security efforts, guided by UNSCR 1325 and the Ghana National Action Plan (GHANAP 2). Supports GHANAP 2 implementation, Women Peace Circles, and WPS dialogue with development partners.
• National Network of Youth Groups (NNYOG) Youth-led volunteer organization established by FOSDA that undertakes peer-to-peer education on government policies and advocates for youth rights across Ghana's 16 regions.
• Women Mediators Network Ghana (WoMNet-Gh) Network established by FOSDA in 2022 to enhance technical expertise of women peacebuilders in conflict mediation, negotiation, prevention, early warning mechanisms, and community peacebuilding.
• Ghana Youth Manifesto Project Youth-led initiative to influence political parties' manifestos and ensure the needs and aspirations of young Ghanaians are captured in electoral platforms.
• Ghana Youth Development and Enhancement Program (GYDEP) Flagship youth development initiative focused on skills development and youth empowerment; recognized as one of 200 Excellence Programs of the 2026 Action Plan for Global Youth Development.
• Violent Incidents Monitoring Reports Recurring media monitoring reports tracking violent incidents across Ghana, covering categories including economic, physical, gun, sexual, psychological, political, and social violence. Based on a maintained Violent Incidents Report database.

Quantifiable outcome

• Trained 32 women to monitor pro-poor projects in Jirapa and Shai Osudoku Districts
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• National Commission on Small Arms and Light Weapons (NACSA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Government partner for national consultations on arms control, explosive weapons in populated areas, and advocacy for strengthened arms control frameworks.
• United NationscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Partner in convening Ghana's first National Consultation on Protecting Civilians from Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas and broader disarmament advocacy.
• International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Partner in explosive weapons consultations and nuclear disarmament work, providing technical expertise and humanitarian perspective on weapons issues.
• Article 36minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026International NGO partner in the National Consultation on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas, contributing expertise on weapons control and humanitarian impacts.
• Government of AustriacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 February 2026Co-host of West and Central African Regional Conference on TPNW. Austria provides diplomatic support and leads the Political Declaration on EWIPA initiative.
• International Campaign to Abolish Nuclear Weapons (ICAN)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2026Global coalition partner (700+ NGOs in 110 countries) working on Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons universalization. FOSDA serves as implementing partner for ICAN activities in Africa.
• National Peace Council GhanacoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Government partner for Women Peace and Security programming, joint outreach sessions, and annual independent assessment of GHANAP 2 implementation.
• Accra Girls Senior High SchoolminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 November 2025Host venue for Talk WPS Girls Outreach session commemorating UNSCR 1325 25th Anniversary, engaging 200+ students on women peace and security.
• EduwatchminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2025Partner in Green TVET Policy Framework development, providing research and technical input on education policy and technical skills development.
• Canadian High CommissioncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 September 2025Collaborating on Women Peace and Security agenda and financing for GHANAP 2. Jointly convenes development partners dialogue on WPS implementation and women's participation in peacebuilding.
• Star Ghana FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2025Implementing partner for the SURE Project (Strengthening Systems for Resilience Against Violent Extremism) focusing on empowering women as peacebuilders in northern Ghana through Women Peace Circles.
• West Africa Centre for Counter-Extremism (WACCE)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2025Collaborating partner on the SURE Project and Mining for Peace (M4P) Project, working on community resilience against violent extremism and mining-related security issues.
• Women Mediators Network Ghana (WoMNet-Gh)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2022Network established by FOSDA in 2022 to enhance technical expertise of women peacebuilders in conflict mediation, negotiation, prevention, early warning mechanisms, and community peacebuilding.
• National Network of Youth Groups Ghana (NNYOG)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 October 2014Youth-led volunteer organization initiated and established by FOSDA at the Local Government Institute. Focuses on peer-to-peer education on government policies and youth rights advocacy.
• OXFAM in GhanacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMajor implementing partner supporting FOSDA's programs including TVET advocacy, youth development, domestic revenue mobilization, and governance work. OXFAM provides funding, technical support, and co-implementation of various projects across FOSDA's thematic areas.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Conciliation Resources: Conciliation Resources is a UK-based INGO specializing in peacebuilding, gender-inclusive peace processes, and arms control advocacy. It is a direct peer because its programmatic focus (mediation, disarmament, inclusive governance) and donor model mirror FOSDA's and it competes for similar FCDO and EU funding.
• Article 36: Article 36 is a UK-based NGO focused on preventing harm from weapons, including explosive weapons in populated areas and nuclear disarmament. It is a direct peer because it is a current FOSDA partner on the National Consultation on Explosive Weapons and competes for the same disarmament and humanitarian policy funding.
• West Africa Centre for Counter-Extremism (WACCE): WACCE is a Ghana-based policy and research center focused on violent extremism, counter-radicalization, and community resilience in West Africa. It is a direct peer to FOSDA because the organizations already co-implement the SURE Project and M4P Project and compete for the same P/CVE funding pool.
• African Leadership Centre (ALC): The African Leadership Centre runs peace, security, and development leadership programs across Africa, including in Ghana and the West Africa sub-region. It is a direct peer because it works on similar themes (peace and security, governance, youth leadership) and targets the same donor and academic ecosystems.
• Women Mediators Across the Commonwealth (WMC): WMC is a global network of women mediators across Commonwealth countries, including Ghana. It is a direct peer to FOSDA's WoMNet-Gh network because it operates at the same intersection of gender, mediation, and peacebuilding and may compete or partner for similar WPS donor funding.

Broad incumbents

• International Alert: International Alert is a London-based peacebuilding INGO working on security, gender, and governance in Africa and globally. It is comparable to FOSDA in thematic focus (human security, WPS, governance) and donor base (FCDO, EU), and represents a larger, more established alternative for global peace and security funding.
• Search for Common Ground: Search for Common Ground is a global peacebuilding INGO implementing conflict prevention, counter-extremism, and inclusive governance programs in dozens of countries including Ghana. It is a broad incumbent peer because it competes with FOSDA for the same WPS and P/CVE donor funding and operates in similar community-based modalities.
• West Africa Network for Peacebuilding (WANEP): WANEP is the largest regional peacebuilding network in West Africa, working on conflict prevention, early warning, and women peace and security across ECOWAS member states. It is the most direct peer to FOSDA in scope, operating model (NGO network), and geography, and is a likely collaborator or competitor for the same donor pool.
• International Crisis Group: International Crisis Group is a global think tank and field research organization producing analysis and policy advice on conflict in West Africa and the Sahel. It is comparable to FOSDA because it operates in the same geography and topical space (peace and security, governance) and engages the same international donor and diplomatic ecosystem.
• Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC): KAIPTC is a Ghana-based, ECOWAS-oriented training center for peace operations, conflict prevention, and security sector reform. It is a broad incumbent peer because it operates in the same Ghana-based peace and security space, engages many of the same diplomatic donors, and competes for P/CVE and WPS training contracts.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/Fosdaghana1
• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCRnN4HpCBO4K7rf8E6rj5BQ
• Facebookfacebook.com/fosdaghana
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/foundation-for-security-and-development-in-africa-fosda

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Foundation for Security and Development in Africa (FOSDA)