International Needs Ghana (INGH) has launched a year-long celebration marking 40 years of Christian service, community development and advocacy for vulnerable people in Ghana.
The launch, held on Thursday, October 1, 2026, at the Accra Ridge Church, was held under the theme: “Transforming Lives and Communities: 40 Years of Christian Service.” It brought together partners, faith leaders, development actors and stakeholders to reflect on the organisation’s journey since its establishment and to look ahead to its next phase of impact.
Executive Director of International Needs Ghana, Mr. Cromwel Awadey, said the anniversary was an opportunity to celebrate God’s faithfulness and the contributions of staff, partners, volunteers, churches and communities over four decades.
“It is with great joy and gratitude to God that I welcome you all to this special lunch marking 40 years of International Needs Ghana’s Christian services,” he said. “Today heralds the beginning of a year-long celebration of a 40-year journey.”
Mr. Awadey said the organisation’s work had contributed to improved household incomes, poverty reduction, child protection, education opportunities, stronger livelihoods, youth empowerment and community-led development.
“We seek to celebrate God’s faithfulness, the commitment of our team and partners that has resulted in lives and communities being transformed,” he said. “Children have been protected from abuse, exploitation and violence; livelihoods strengthened; young people given hope; communities empowered; churches planted and people discipled.”
International Needs Ghana is part of International Needs Incorporated, a global Christian network operating in more than 30 countries across six continents. The global organisation began in 1974 and is registered as a charitable organisation under New Zealand law.
Mr. Awadey traced the Ghanaian organisation’s beginnings to a 1982 meeting in Switzerland between the founder of International Needs Incorporated, Dr. Ray Harrison, and Rev. Walter Pimpong, who was challenged to begin the work in Ghana.
He explained that an initial board was formed in 1983 in Amsterdam, Netherlands, during a conference of itinerant evangelists. Upon returning to Ghana, the pioneers worked to establish the organisation, which was ultimately registered in 1987.
“As we launch the 40th anniversary of this seed that was sown in the 1980s, we recognise the foundational work of Rev. Walter Pimpong,” Mr. Awadey said. “We also recognise the hard work of others, including Mr. Randolph Pevey and members of the first board of directors, who did the groundwork to establish an organisation with the potential for growth beyond the tenure of the founding fathers and mothers.”
Mr. Awadey said INGH’s mission is captured in its identity: “Transform lives, change communities.”
He noted that the organisation serves people regardless of belief, combining practical development interventions with a commitment to demonstrating God’s love and compassion.
“Our roots are in the intersection of the physical and the spiritual,” he said. “We focus on the physical and material needs of people, households and communities, while showing God’s love and compassion and serving people regardless of their beliefs.”
He stressed that transformation cannot be measured by numbers alone.
“A child given another opportunity for formal education, a young person who achieves his or her chosen professional goal, and a community that believes a better future is possible and leads its own development path, these are some of the things quantitative data alone may not tell us,” he said.
INGH has also contributed to national child-rights and anti-trafficking efforts. Mr. Awadey said the organisation was a partnering member in the formation of the Ghana NGO Coalition on the Rights of the Child and a founding member of the Coalition of NGOs Against Child Trafficking in Ghana (SINAT).
The Country Representative of the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) Ghana, Dr. David Wilfred Ochan, praised INGH for its consistent service to marginalised groups, including Kayayei, teenage mothers and other vulnerable young people.
“They reach the least in our community. They serve those in most need and make everybody feel equal,” Dr. Ochan said. “Our partnership with them to reach the Kayayei, teenage mothers and the neglected speaks true to what we in the UN call ‘Leave No One Behind,’ especially the most left behind.”
He highlighted INGH’s collaboration, integrity and service-oriented leadership as key strengths that have sustained the organisation over the years.
“The character of International Needs Ghana is demonstrated in collaboration,” he said. “In good times and in bad, we move together. That spirit of partnership has always been there.”
Dr. Ochan also commended the organisation’s work under the Fashion Expressions initiative, implemented with UNFPA and partners, which supports first-time young mothers and young women to move away from street life and build careers in fashion.
“They are running services and training more young people. That is transforming lives, saving lives, protecting lives and creating opportunities for young people,” he said.
Dr. Ochan urged INGH to use the anniversary not only to celebrate its achievements, but also to reflect, reform and prepare for a changing global development landscape.
“Forty years is a long time for an institution. There are things we need to reflect on and see how to reform,” he said. “May the next 40 years be shaped by evidence that will guide your reforms, deliver more impactful services, change lives, transform communities and change institutions to serve humanity.”
Mr. Awadey said the anniversary would include an awards and thanksgiving programme next year, as well as community engagements focused on child protection, sexual and gender-based violence, water, sanitation and hygiene, and empowerment programmes.
“This theme invites us not only to look back with gratitude, but also to look forward with renewed commitment,” he said. “We look forward to embracing new technologies, new ideas and approaches in development, deepening partnerships, building stronger communities and strengthening our faith and obedience to the Great Commission.”
He expressed appreciation to board members, management, staff, volunteers, churches, partners and the communities INGH has served.
“These achievements have never been the work of one person or one generation,” he said. “We therefore take this opportunity to say thank you to everyone who has contributed to International Needs Ghana’s story.”