These Terms of Use govern access to and use of the website operated by the Chartered Institute of Local Governance and Development (“CILGD”, “the Institute”, “we”). By accessing this website you accept these terms. If you do not accept them, please do not use the site.

CILGD is an international professional membership body, with a Global Registered Office in Delaware, United States, and a West Africa Office in Accra, Ghana. The Institute is governed by its Constitution dated 3 October 2022, and operates in accordance with the laws of the jurisdictions in which it is registered.

You may use this website to:

• Learn about CILGD’s mandate, membership, training, certification, research, and institutional activities.
• Apply for membership, register for training, and access the member portal where you are entitled to do so.
• Use the public verification tools to confirm the validity of a certificate or a member’s standing.
• Contact the Institute through the official channels.

You agree not to use the website to engage in any unlawful conduct, to harass other users, to interfere with the operation of the site, to attempt unauthorised access to systems, or to misrepresent your affiliation with the Institute.

Access to the member portal and to certain restricted services requires a CILGD account. You are responsible for keeping your login credentials confidential and for all activity that takes place under your account. Notify us immediately at info@cilgd.com if you suspect that your account has been compromised.

The Institute may suspend or revoke account access where there is reasonable suspicion of misuse, where membership dues remain outstanding, or where a disciplinary process so requires.

The name “Chartered Institute of Local Governance and Development”, the acronym “CILGD”, the Institute’s logo, motto, post-nominal designations (including FCILGD, MCILGD, ACILGD, HonFCILGD, and the Chartered Local Governance and Development Professional designation), training curricula, certificates, publications, and digital platforms are the exclusive property of the Institute.

You may not copy, modify, register, commercialise, or otherwise reproduce these materials without prior written authorisation from the Institute. Quotation of short passages for legitimate editorial, academic, or news-reporting purposes is permitted provided the Institute is credited as the source.

Post-nominal designations and certificates issued by the Institute signify that the holder has met the standards of membership or professional practice prescribed by the Institute, is bound by its Code of Ethics, and is in good standing. Use of these designations or certificates by any person who is not authorised by the Institute, or whose authorisation has been suspended or withdrawn, is prohibited and may be subject to disciplinary action, statutory enforcement, or both.

The Institute provides public tools to verify certificates and the standing of members. The information returned by these tools is derived from CILGD’s official register at the time of enquiry and is provided in good faith for verification purposes only. The Institute is not liable for decisions made by third parties solely on the basis of verification results.

The Institute takes reasonable care to ensure that information on this website is accurate and up to date. However, content is provided for general informational purposes and does not constitute legal, professional, regulatory, or financial advice. Members and the public should not act solely on the basis of website content and are encouraged to seek qualified advice for specific matters.

The website may include links to third-party sites operated by accredited training centres, institutional partners, regulatory bodies, and other organisations. The Institute is not responsible for the content or practices of external sites. The inclusion of a link does not constitute endorsement.

Where the website accepts payments for membership dues, examination fees, training, or other institutional services, those payments are processed by regulated payment providers. Refunds, where available, are governed by the Institute’s fee policy as approved by the Board.

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, the Institute is not liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive loss arising out of your use of, or inability to use, this website. Nothing in these terms limits any liability that cannot lawfully be limited.

These Terms of Use are governed by the laws of the Republic of Ghana, without prejudice to the laws of the jurisdiction in which each user accesses the website. Disputes shall first be addressed through good-faith dialogue with the Institute. Where dialogue does not resolve the matter, the parties shall pursue mediation and, if necessary, arbitration in accordance with the dispute-resolution framework adopted by the Board.

The Institute may update these Terms of Use from time to time. The revised terms take effect from the date shown at the top of this page. Continued use of the website after a revision constitutes acceptance of the updated terms.

These terms should be read together with the Institute’s Privacy Policy, the Cookie Notice, the Accessibility Statement, and the Code of Ethics.