Frequently asked questions

MIWA (Microfinance Initiative for West Africa) is a non-partisan community development NGO based in Takoradi, Ghana. Despite the name, we are not a financial services provider — we work on education, health, women's and youth empowerment, environmental sustainability, and poverty reduction across Ghana and West Africa.

Our head office is at P.O. Box MC 884, Takoradi, Western Region, Ghana. Most of our programmes operate in the Western Region, with active partner communities in Central, Upper West, and Greater Accra regions. Our mandate extends to the wider West African subregion.

MIWA is led by Dr. Lindsay-Yaidoo (Director & CEO) and a seven-member board including Mr. Justice Edem Dogbey (General Secretary), Mrs. Benedicta Asoh Oduro (VP & Financial Director), Dr. Priscilla Gloria Nashlord Bekoe (Trustee & Board Member), Michael Acheampong (Board Member), Michal Mensah-Sowah (Organiser), and Celestina Abena Serwaa Baidoo (Youth Organiser).

MIWA was formally registered in Ghana in 2022. Since then we have grown to six active programmes, more than 12 partner communities, and over 40 volunteers.

No. MIWA is explicitly non-partisan. We work across all political lines; our loyalty is to the communities we serve and to need, not to any political affiliation. We do not accept funding or direction that would compromise this independence.

Our online giving platform is currently being set up. In the meantime, please contact us at info@microfinanceinitiativeforwestafrica.org or via WhatsApp (+233 552 955 650) to arrange a donation. We accept donations in Ghanaian cedis and US dollars.

Your gift goes directly toward programme delivery — scholarships, health outreach, skills training, cooperative seed funding, and community infrastructure. MIWA maintains transparent accounting and produces programme outcome reports reviewed by our board.

Yes. You can designate your gift to any of our six programmes: Education Access, Health Improvement, Women's Empowerment, Youth Empowerment, Environmental Sustainability, or Poverty Reduction. Let us know your preference when you get in touch.

MIWA is registered as a non-governmental organisation in Ghana. Tax treatment of charitable donations depends on the laws of your own country. Please consult your tax adviser to confirm eligibility.

No special qualifications are required. MIWA welcomes people with skills in education, health, community organising, communications, administration, research, and more. Enthusiasm and commitment to the mission are what matter most.

Yes. Some support roles — such as communications, translation, research, and digital assistance — can be done fully remotely. Field volunteering requires travel to our programme communities in Ghana.

We offer flexible arrangements from short-term engagements (one week or more) to long-term placements of three months or more. Contact us via the Volunteer page or email to discuss what works for your skills and schedule.

MIWA runs six programmes: Education Access, Health Improvement, Women's Empowerment, Youth Empowerment, Environmental Sustainability, and Poverty Reduction. Each programme has its own page with full details of activities and outcomes.

Yes. We can accept books and educational materials, medical supplies, and other items relevant to our programmes. Please contact us before dispatching any goods so we can confirm current needs and logistics.

We welcome corporate CSR partnerships, academic research collaborations, and institutional funding partnerships. Visit our Partner page to submit an enquiry, or email info@microfinanceinitiativeforwestafrica.org to start a conversation.

You can reach us by email at info@microfinanceinitiativeforwestafrica.org, by phone on +233 552 955 650, or via WhatsApp at the same number. Our head office is at P.O. Box MC 884, Takoradi, Western Region, Ghana.