Abstract

This study explored the potential effects of international donor funding on the mis- sions of local non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Ghana. While local NGOs often depend on overseas donor assistance to carry out their missions, such funding modalities can bring forth uncertainties and vulnerabilities, such as funding fluc- tuations and inconsistencies, shifting priorities, and changing financing methods. These factors raise important questions about whether international donor funding enables local NGOs to accomplish their declared missions or if it compels them to compromise their missions for survival. The paper adopts a resource dependency perspective and draws on primary data collected from local NGO actors to provide valuable insights into how international donor financing may contribute to mission creep among local Ghanaian NGOs. By analysing this dynamic relationship, the study offers a heuristic understanding of the potential adverse effects of international donor funding on local NGO missions in Ghana. The findings shed light on the sub- stantial influence of scarce resources and reliance of local NGOs in Ghana. The study revealed that the pressure to secure funding frequently results in NGOs re-evaluating their original objectives. This not only hampers their ability to tackle particular social problems but also endangers their viability in the long run as they become more dependent on external funding.