As Ghana's Universities approach the next millennium, no doubt they will be faced with complex challenges; however, there will be several opportunities as well in the fields of socio-economic research, teaching and outreach programmes that benefit civil society. ISSER will strengthen its position in this process and continue to play a key role that will enable it to carry out systematic investigations of the challenges of the times, to inform policies and guide decision-making aimed at changing the low development situation of the country for the better. The process will be enhanced through the activities of an ENDOWMENT TRUST, which was established in October, 1998.

The main aim of the Trust is to dedicate itself to mobilizing some of the critical resources needed by the Institute to improve and upgrade its work and future programmes.

TRUST Objectives

According to its Deed, the Trust shall fulfill vital needs of the institute through:

• Promoting, improving and upgrading research, teaching and extension activities/programmes, including industry, commerce and other sectors.

• Enhancing ISSER-based facilities such as computer network, library, production and printing of publications as well as relevant institutional structures.
• Strengthening the human resource aspects of ISSER through special fellowships, endowment of chairs and high level personnel exchange programmes, external and internal training of relevant staff etc.

Any other activities that the Trustees may deem fit.

Board of Trustees

A Board of Trustees composed of distinguished personalities from all walks of life - academic, industry, agriculture, commerce, banking and other sectors, public as well as private and NGOs - is responsible for policies and ensures the effective management of the funds and other resources generated by the Trust. Also a 6-member Executive Committee of the Board implements the Board's decisions and carries out the day-to-day management and administration of the Trust.

Targets and Strategies

ISSER will consolidate on its strengths and accomplishments in the research and teaching fields; at the same time it will ensure that every effort is made to minimize the forces which impede its progress. The Institute will therefore work closely with its partners, and ensure that it sustains its links with her traditional supporters, especially the Government of Ghana and the donor community. Fresh resources are however expected to be generated through the TRUST, a strategy that will constitute a new engine to foster further growth of the Institute, assure more in-depth and sustained operations in the years ahead; and that which will enhance prospects of the Institute to be a true center of excellence for research, teaching and advocacy.

ISSER's appeal to strengthen its funding situation cuts across the wider community. The public and non-public, national as well as international sources are all called upon to help. During the initial phase of its operations, the TRUST hopes to operate an open policy, hence it has no targets as such. In the course of time, however, as matters unfold, specific targets will be set to meet the Institute's programme cycles.

How to make contributions to the Trust

The Trust is by law a charitable organization and therefore donations to it are tax exempt. Donations may be made in any of the following ways:

• One-off donations (in kind, by cash or cheque)
• Pledges - promise to pay a specified amount at a specific time

• Deeds of covenant - promises to pay a specified amount over a specified period. Donors are encouraged to execute a Deed of Covenant to assure the Trust of long-term funds and to maintain a consistent flow of funds.

Cheques are to be made out to "ISSER Endowment Trust" and mailed to:

ISSER,
P. O. Box LG 74,
University of Ghana
Legon
Tel No. (233-21) 501182; 511502/3
Fax No: (233-21) 512504 / 500937

Or
Trustee Services Limited,
P. O. Box 1632
Accra, Ghana.
1st Floor, East Bay
Teacher's Hall Annex
Education Loop, (Off Barnes Rd.)
Adabraka, Accra
Tel. No. (233-21) 221171; 229396
Fax No. (233-21) 226129/220629

A tax exempt letter can be provided to contributors on request.

Epilogue
Knowledge obtained through objectivity and proper assessment of the situation is an essential ingredient for making progress in any society. In this developing part of our world, any true efforts aimed systematically at tackling the myriad of problems facing the people requires the use of the critical minds in the society, persons who possess the necessary skills to decipher the issues at stake, who can also work out the strategies and plans of how to deal with them and provide essential inputs for implementing those plans.

ISSER, the premier research Institute at the University of Ghana mandated to work on some of the problems of this nation, through enhancing the knowledge-base needed to find solutions to this country's problems, has for sometime now found it itself constrained by inadequate funding for its work. The need for ISSER at this time the nation sees the private sector as the future engine for growth is even more critical today than ever. Any efforts that can be made to enhance ISSER's work to become a truly excellent center for research, teaching and advocacy in the field of socio-economic development will therefore be desirable.