Understanding local NGOs' sustainability in Ghana: does organisational capacity and scope matter?

Organisational capacity and scope are critical determinants of non-governmental organisations' (NGOs) sustainability. However, there is a gap in knowledge on the relationship between organisational capacity, scope and sustainability. This article examines the relationship between organisational capacity, scope and sustainability using a dataset of 118 local NGOs operating in the health, education and agriculture sectors in five regions of Ghana. Drawing on the five core capabilities (5Cs) framework on capacity and using probit regression models, we find that external relationship capacity (i.e., capability to relate and attract) is more significant in explaining the sustainability of local NGOs than financial, human resource, infrastructure and planning capacities. The findings further suggest that generalist rather than specialist NGOs with well-developed external relationship capacity are more likely to be sustainable. The findings, therefore, demonstrate the significance of partnerships in promoting the sustainability of local NGOs. Implications and future research on NGOs' capacity management and sustainability are discussed.