By Gogu Edwin
Aid for Socio-Economic and Rural Development (ASERD-GHANA) has been honored as the “Most Outstanding Organization in Socio-Economic and Rural Development in Ghana” at the 2nd Edition of the Northern Ghana Business Merit Awards and Conference held in Tamale on Friday, October 17, 2025.
The prestigious award, organized by The Business Executive Group, celebrates ASERD-GHANA’s exceptional work in advancing sustainable rural transformation, women’s empowerment, environmental protection, peacebuilding, and conflict management across Northern Ghana and beyond.
Presenting the award, Hon. Alhaji Abubakari Adam Takoro, Tamale Metropolitan Chief Executive (Mayor), commended ASERD-GHANA for its tireless efforts in driving inclusive development and peace at the grassroots level. He lauded the organization’s innovative approach to tackling rural poverty through socio-economic empowerment, adding that ASERD-GHANA has become a beacon of hope for many marginalized communities.
Receiving the award on behalf of the organization, Mr. Benjamin Dimongso Kafari, Executive Director of ASERD-GHANA, dedicated the recognition to the hardworking rural communities, local partners, and international collaborators whose collective commitment continues to fuel the organization’s mission.
“This award is not just a recognition of our institutional efforts, but a celebration of the resilience, hard work, and vision of rural women, youth, and local communities who partner with us every day to build a more inclusive and sustainable Ghana,”
said Mr. Kafari.
He added that ASERD-GHANA’s work goes beyond charity, focusing instead on empowering people to become active agents of change rather than passive beneficiaries of aid. “This recognition inspires us to deepen our work and extend our impact to more underserved communities in Ghana and beyond,” he emphasized.
Since its establishment in 2015 and formal registration in 2018, ASERD-GHANA has emerged as a leading grassroots development organization operating across the Northern, North East, Savannah, and Upper East Regions of Ghana. The NGO’s interventions span livelihood empowerment, gender inclusion, biodiversity conservation, conflict management, peacebuilding, and climate-smart agriculture, initiatives that continue to transform lives and restore ecosystems.
Under the dynamic leadership of Mr. Benjamin Dimongso Kafari, ASERD-GHANA has become synonymous with transparency, accountability, and community-centered development. His visionary leadership and unwavering commitment have steered the organization to national recognition, demonstrating how grassroots action can drive lasting change.
The organization envisions “a society where the rural poor, women, and youth enjoy good standards of living and contribute proactively to equitable and sustainable community development.” Its participatory and inclusive approach has earned it the trust of development partners and the admiration of communities across the north.
The Northern Ghana Business Merit Awards and Conference is an annual platform that celebrates excellence, innovation, and leadership among institutions and individuals contributing significantly to Ghana’s development agenda. This year’s event brought together corporate executives, development practitioners, and policymakers to recognize transformative impact within the country’s socio-economic landscape.
Looking ahead, ASERD-GHANA is set to expand its reach and deepen its community impact. Plans are underway to scale up apiculture and agroforestry initiatives, enhance gender inclusion in peacebuilding, and launch a climate resilience project aimed at helping smallholder farmers adapt to changing weather patterns.
Mr. Kafari expressed profound gratitude to The Business Executive Group for the honor, reaffirming the organization’s commitment to community transformation through collaboration and compassion.
“We are grateful for this recognition, but our greatest reward is the transformation we see in the communities we serve, children who can now go to school, women who can support their families, and ecosystems being restored for future generations,” he said.
For ASERD-GHANA, this award is both a celebration and a renewed call to action, a reminder that sustainable change begins with shared responsibility, grassroots empowerment, and visionary leadership.
