THE LEADERSHIP FACTOR IN THE SUSTENANCE OF NON-PROFIT ORGANISATIONS: A STUDY OF ACTIONAID PARTNERS IN TAMALE METROPOLIS, GHANA

Abstract

The sustenance of a non-profit organization depends on its leadership and how the internal structures, systems and processes are managed. This study sought to examine the leadership factor in the sustenance of non-profit organizations. A descriptive survey design was adopted for the study. Data was collected using questionnaires, documentary reviews and interview guides. Purposive and random sampling techniques were used to select 40 respondents from a target population of 100. The study revealed that the organizations were characterized by the practice of the democratic leadership style. However, leaders of these organizations did not have fundraising strategies, and this poses a threat to the sustenance of the organizations. Participative, visionary and transformational leadership styles were identified as the three most effective practices that would ensure organizational sustainability. However, the managers were not well exposed to these leadership skills; and this could have adverse effects on organizational sustainability. It is recommended that the human resource managers of the organizations should develop human resource policies that will guide them to recruit, train and sustain quality staff for the sustainability of the organizations. The Board of Directors should also support the managers to pursue leadership courses to augment their leadership skills. The Programme Manager of Action Aid should build the capacities of staff of the partner organizations to enable them sustain the organizations when Action Aid phases out from Tamale Metropolis