SADA Moves to improve social protection in the NSEZ

Transcription

MoGCSP
REPORT
SADA Zone Round Table Forum on Social Protection
Held on 10th December,2014
Tamale
With the support of
Contents
List of Acronyms and Abbreviations ............................................................................................................ 3
Executive Summary ...................................................................................................................................... 5
1.0. Introduction ............................................................................................................................................ 6
2.0. Opening Session..................................................................................................................................... 7
2.1. Statement by Board Chair of SADA .................................................................................................. 7
2.2. Statement by Director of MoGCSP ................................................................................................... 7
2.3. Statement by UNICEF ....................................................................................................................... 7
2.4. Statement by UNDP ........................................................................................................................... 7
2.5. Address by Hon. Regional Minister for Northern Region ................................................................. 8
3.0. Key Presentations................................................................................................................................... 8
3.1. Presentation on emerging developments in social protection in Ghana............................................. 8
3.2. Presentation on the Labour Intensive Public Works (LIPW)........................................................... 10
3.3. Presentation on the Expanded LEAP ............................................................................................... 11
3.4. Update on mapping out the social sector in the SADA zone ........................................................... 11
3.5. Comments/ Questions and Contributions on Technical Presentations............................................. 12
3.5.1. Questions on Technical Presentations....................................................................................... 12
3.5.2. Answers provided to questions posed on Technical Presentations ........................................... 12
4.0. Panel sessions....................................................................................................................................... 13
4.1. Role of the RCCs in coordinating social sector................................................................................. 13
4.2. The objectives of the Ghana National Targeting System................................................................. 14
4.3. The Role of SADA in coordinating social sector............................................................................. 14
5.0. Group Work and Plenary sessions ....................................................................................................... 16
5.1. Feedback from Education Group ..................................................................................................... 16
5.1.1. Three top most constraints in Education within the SADA Zone ............................................. 16
5.1.2. Recommendations for resolving constraints in Education in the SADA zone.......................... 16
5.1.3. Role of SADA and Development Partners in resolving Education Constraints ....................... 16
5.2. Feedback from Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Group ................................................................... 16
5.2.1. Three top most constraints in Disaster Risk Reduction within the SADA Zone ...................... 16
5.2.2. Participants recommendations for resolving constraints in DRR in the SADA zone ............... 17
5.2.3. Role of SADA and Development Partners in resolving DRR Constraints ............................... 17
5.3. Feedback from Health and Nutrition Group .................................................................................... 17
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5.3.1. Three top most constraints in Health and Nutrition within the SADA zone ............................. 17
5.3.2. Recommendations for dealing with Health & Nutrition constraints in the SADA zone .......... 17
5.3.3. Role of SADA and DPs in resolving Health and Nutrition Constraints ................................... 17
5.4. Feedback from Water and Sanitation Group.................................................................................... 17
5.4.1. Three top most constraints in Water and Sanitation within the SADA zone ................................ 17
5.4.2. Recommendations for resolving constraints in Water and Sanitation ...................................... 17
5.4.3. Role of SADA and DPs in resolving Water & Sanitation Constraints ..................................... 18
5.5. Feedback from Social Protection Group .......................................................................................... 18
5.5.1. Three top most constraints in Social Protection within the SADA zone .................................. 18
5.5.2. Recommendations for resolving constraints in Social Protection in the SADA zone .............. 18
5.5.3. Role of SADA and DPs in resolving Social Protection constraints .......................................... 18
6.0. Key Recommendations ........................................................................................................................ 18
7.0. Closing ................................................................................................................................................. 20
8.0. Annexes................................................................................................................................................ 21
8.1. Round table forum programme ........................................................................................................ 21
8.2. List of Participants ........................................................................................................................... 23
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List of Acronyms and Abbreviations
DA
District Assembly
DFID
Department for International Development
DP
Development Partner
DRR
Disaster Risk Reduction
GDP
Gross Domestic Product
GIS
Geograhic Information System
GLSS
Ghana Living Standards Survey
GNTS
Ghana National Targeting System
GoG
Government of Ghana
GSFP
Ghana School Feeding Programme
GSOP
Ghana Social Opportunities Programme
HON
Honourable
LEAP
Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty
LESDEP
Local Enterprise and Skills Development Programme
LGRD
Local Government and Rural Development
LIPW
Labour Intensive Public Work
MDAs
Ministries Departments and Agencies
M&E
Monitoring and Evaluation
MMDAs
Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies
MOFA
Ministry of Food and Agriculture
MoGCSP
Ministry of Gender Children and Social Protection
MVP
Millennium Villages Project
NGO
Non-Governmental Organisation
NHIA
National Health Insurance Authority
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NHIS
National Health Insurance Scheme
NSEZ
Northern Savannah Ecological Zone
NSPS
National Strategy for Social Protection
OVC
Orphan and Vulnerable Children
RCC
Regional Coordination Council
RPCU
Regional Planning and Coordinating Unit
SADA
Savannah Accelerated Development Authority
SP
Social Protection
UNDP
United Nations Development Programme
UNICEF
United Nations International Children Emergency Fund
USAID
United States Agency for International Development
WFP
World Food Programme
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Executive Summary
The Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) was established by an ACT of
Ghana‟s Parliament in 2010. SADA as a regional development Authority is to provide strategic
planning guidance, mobilize resources and coordinate development in the SADA regions which
encompasses five regions and sixty three Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies
(MMDAs) in Ghana. The SADA zone though endowed with many resources still records the
highest rates of poverty in the country.
In response to the high incidence of poverty in the SADA zone, government and development
partners have initiated a number of social interventions in the zone. The focus of these social
interventions is to meet the basic needs requirements of the most vulnerable population in the
zone and also improve their capacity to be more productive. However, these well-intended
objectives of government and development partners, have not achieved the required results due
to duplication and fragmentation of programmes resulting in minimal impact on beneficiaries.
It is to address these concerns of duplication and fragmentation of social interventions that the
one day round table forum on social protection was convened. The conveners of the forum were
SADA and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) , in partnership
with UNICEF and UNDP.
The key objectives outlined for the forum included the following:
i.
To review the on-going social protection programmes within the NSEZ with a view to
scaling up and integrating these programmes for increased impact on the vulnerable;
To review existing coordination mechanisms for the social sector in the NSEZ with a
view to improving programmes impact;
ii.
iii.
To gain a better understanding of the Ghana National Targeting System and how
stakeholders from the NSEZ could contribute to its development.
The forum was well attended by key development partners, ministries, departments and agencies
involved in the provisioning of social services in the SADA zone.
At the end of the round the participants made the following recommendations for improving the
delivery of social services to the people within the SADA:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Mapping of social sectors to promote synergies and avoid duplications;
Development of consolidated work plans for each of the key social sectors;
Formation and strengthening of sectoral working groups to promote networking;
Strengthening the capacity of the RCCs and DAs in planning, M&E and learning;
Establishment of a Disaster Fund to take care of disasters and emergencies;
Formation and strengthening of Regional and District Social Protection Committees.
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1.0. Introduction
The Savannah Accelerated Development Authority (SADA) was established by an ACT of
Ghana‟s Parliament in 2010. SADA as a regional development Authority is to provide strategic
planning guidance, mobilize resources and coordinate development in the SADA regions which
encompasses five regions and sixty three Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies
(MMDAs) in Ghana. The SADA zone though endowed with many resources still records the
highest rates of poverty in the country. The Ghana Living Standards Survey Six (GLSS6) report
shows a reduction in the National poverty incidence from 31.9 per cent in 2005/6 to 24.2 per cent
for 2012/13 and that of extreme poverty from 16.5 per cent in 2005/6 to 8.4 per cent for 2012/13.
However, there exist wide disparities among the various administrative regions of the country
with the three northern regions, which comprise mainly the savannah areas still registering high
rates of poverty. The GLSS6 report indicates that more than four in every ten persons are poor in
Upper East (44.4%), increasing to one in every two in the Northern region (50.4%) and seven out
of every ten in Upper West (70.7%).
In response to the high incidence of poverty in the SADA zone, government and development
partners have initiated a number of social interventions in the zone. The focus of these social
interventions is to meet the basic needs requirements of the most vulnerable population in the
zone and also improve their capacity to be more productive. However, these well-intended
objectives of government and development partners, have not achieved the required results due
to duplication and fragmentation of programmes resulting in minimal impact on beneficiaries.
It is to address these concerns of duplication and fragmentation of social interventions that the
one day round table forum on social protection was convened. The conveners of the forum were
SADA and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) , in partnership
with UNICEF and UNDP.
The key objectives outlined for the forum included the following:
iv.
v.
vi.
To review the on-going social protection programmes within the NSEZ with a view to
scaling up and integrating these programmes for increased impact on the vulnerable;
To review existing coordination mechanisms for the social sector in the NSEZ with a
view to improving programmes impact;
To gain a better understanding of the Ghana National Targeting System and how
stakeholders from the NSEZ could contribute to its development.
The forum was well attended by key development partners, ministries, departments and agencies
involved in the provisioning of social services in the SADA zone. This report therefore
highlights the key issues and recommendations of participants at the forum.
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2.0. Opening Session
The opening session of the forum included brief remarks from SADA, MoGCSP, UNICEF and
UNDP. The key points of their remarks are captured below:
2.1. Statement by Board Chair of SADA
The Board Chair of SADA, Mrs Angelina Mornah Domakyaareh in her introductory remarks
expressed her gratitude to UNCEF, UNDP, MoGCSP and all participants for finding the time to
participate in the first SADA/MoGCSP forum on social protection in the SADA zone.
She indicated that the SADA zone is still the highest contributor to poverty in Ghana and
stressed on the need for collaboration, partnerships and judicious use of resources to address the
poverty situation in the zone. She noted that, SADA as per its mandate provides a good vehicle
for planning, coordinating, monitoring and evaluating social interventions in the zone. She
assured participants that, SADA will play its leadership role in the zone and called for the
cooperation and collaboration from the development partners, MMDAs in the SADA zone and
Minstries Departments and Agencies (MDAs) to ensure the resources of the region are used for
the development of the zone and Ghana.
2.2. Statement by Director of MoGCSP
Mr. Mawutor Ablor, the Director for Social Protection at the MoGCSP, who represented the
Minister for MoGCSP at the forum, indicated that he was happy with the collaboration between
SADA and his Ministry. He said many of the Ministry‟s social protection programmes were
being rolled out in the SADA regions hence the need to collaborate closely with SADA. He gave
his assurance that the MoGCSP will play its role in ensuring that the key recommendations from
this social protection forum are implemented.
2.3. Statement by UNICEF
Madam Susan Namondo Ngongi, Country Director for UNICEF in Ghana indicated that her
organisation was happy to be part of this important forum. She said social protection is key to the
economic transformation of Ghana and that resources channelled into social protection
programmes should be seen as major investments in the economy and not merely acts of charity.
She cited Brazil as a country where investments in social protection interventions have played a
key role in propelling economic growth and development for their people. She said UNICEF was
committed to working with SADA to improve the living conditions of the people in the SADA
zone and wished all participants fruitful deliberations.
2.4. Statement by UNDP
Madam Radhika Lal Economic Advisor for UNDP in Ghana indicated that social protection is
obviously a human rights issue which must be mainstreamed into development initiatives to
reduce inequality and poverty in the SADA zone. She lauded SADA and MoGCSP for taking the
lead in organizing a forum of this nature to foster collaboration and enhance the delivery of
social protection programmes in the SADA zone. She also recognized SADA as the appropriate
agency to coordinate, facilitate and influence national policies, programmes and interventions on
social protection for improving the lives of the people in the SADA zone. She pledged the
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support of UNDP to SADA as it takes the lead to influence and coordinate interventions in the
zone.
2.5. Address by Hon. Regional Minister for Northern Region
The Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Alhaji Limuna Mohammed Muniru, welcomed
participants to the forum with the anticipation that its outcome will inure to the benefit of the
people of the SADA zone. He also expressed his gratitude to SADA and all the partners behind
the round table forum for his invitation to address participants.
The Minister, in his address bemoaned the increasing poverty situation in the SADA zone in
spite of the numerous social programmes being implemented by government, NGOs and
development partners in the zone. He called on the development partners, government ministries,
departments and agencies, private sector and civil society organizations at the forum to
interrogate the underlying causes of the chronic poverty in the SADA zone. He indicated that
participants should eschew the usual theorization at workshops like this and rather focus on
practical solutions for addressing the root causes of poverty in the zone. He outlined the
following as his expectations from the forum:
1. Review the effectiveness of these programmes in targeting the vulnerable members of the
SADA regions;
2. Identify possible result-oriented social programmes for scale-up;
3. Agree on follow-up actions for improving access to social services for the people of the
SADA regions.
In conclusion, the Hon. Minister indicated he was particularly happy that SADA has used its
central role and mandate to organize this maiden round table forum on social protection and only
hoped that it will not be the end. He wished the facilitators and participants fruitful deliberations.
3.0. Key Presentations
Three key presentations were made at the forum by experts drawn from the MoGCSP and the
Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development. This session was moderated by Mr.
Peter Ragno, Social Protection Specialist of UNICEF, Ghana. The highlights of these
presentations are indicated below:
3.1. Presentation on emerging developments in social protection in Ghana
The presenter, Mr Mawutor Ablo, Director for Social Protection at the MoGCSP in his
introductory remarks, indicated that whilst Ghana continues to experience significant economic
growth, with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ranging from 4.0% to 15.0% between 2005 and
2013, not much of it has reflected in the lives of the extreme poor in the country. He said Ghana
is becoming an increasingly unequal country where the benefits of economic growth and poverty
reduction are not equally distributed across the nation, across gender and across economic
quintiles. Inequalities, especially between rural and urban dwellers persist and regional
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inequalities are the most pronounced with well over 70% of households in the three northern
regions having no toilet facility whatsoever.
He indicated that it was as a result of the above concerns amongst others that triggered
discussions around the possible roll-out of social protection programmes to address the structural
constraints that tend to perpetuate chronic poverty through investments in human and physical
assets to reduce the risk of future poverty.
Mr. Mawutor, indicated that the roll-out of social protection programmes including the
Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP), National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS),
Free School Uniforms/Free Exercise Books, Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP),
Education Capitation Grant, Labour Intensive Public Works (LIPW), Local Enterprise and Skills
Development Programme (LESDEP) are practical demonstrations from government and
development partners at empowering the economically disadvantaged population of Ghana.
He indicated that the MoGCSP was created in 2013 with a mandate to ensure effective and
efficient coordination of Social Protection programmes in Ghana. He outlined the following as
key achievements of the Ministry:

Agreement on the definition of social protection and a social protection floor for Ghana;
which includes a set of interventions (transfers and or services) by government or private
or civil society that help individuals and households confront risk and adversity
(including emergencies), ensuring a minimum standard of dignity and well-being
throughout the life-cycle of a person.

Agreement on an institutional framework for coordination of social protection
programmes in Ghana at the National, Regional, District and Community levels. This
includes the following:
 Inter-Ministerial Social Protection Steering Committee.
 Inter Sectoral Social Protection Technical Committee.
 Social Protection Sector working group;
 Regional Social Protection Monitoring Teams;
 District Social Protection Committees; and
 Community Social Protection Committees

The establishment of the Ghana National Targeting System (GNTS).
This will provide a Single Registry Data Base of poor households known as the Ghana
National Household Registry. This will ensure effective prioritization and selection of
households living in vulnerable conditions.
According to him the above were approved by Cabinet on 19th June 2014
He noted that, in spite of the successes chalked in the social protection front, there were still a
number of challenges facing the sector including limited resources to implement the coordination
framework as approved by Cabinet.
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He also outlined some of the on-going or planned activities of the Ministry which included the
following:
 The development of a National Social Protection Policy starting December 2014;
 Development and implementation of a sustainable financing mechanism;
 Development of a M & E Framework for Social Protection (SP) in the country;
 Development and operationalization of a Graduation model for SP;
 Operationalization of the GNTS and establishment of National Household Registry;
 The establishment and training of regional and district social protection committees;
 Review and update of a Communication and Advocacy Strategy on SP.
He concluded on the note that the MoGCSP was happy to receive inputs on the above issues.
3.2. Presentation on the Labour Intensive Public Works (LIPW)
The above presentation was done by Mr. Robert Austin, the National Coordinator for Ghana
Social Opportunities Project (GSOP) under the Ministry of Local Government and Rural
Development (LGRD). He provided a background on LIPW as a pilot project under the GSOP.
He explained that the implementation of LIPW is in response to recommendations by the
National Social Protection Strategy in 2007 (NSPS) which sought to move away from the over
reliance on macroeconomic frameworks in addressing poverty to the implementation of social
protection programmes as more effective and efficient tools for addressing inequality in the
country.
According to him the LIPW component which is being implemented under the GSOP is
considered a good approach for providing short-term employment for the very poor in the rural
areas who find it difficult to make enough to meet their household expenditure particularly
during the agricultural off-season. He said the programme since its introduction has employed a
significant number of the extreme poor in the execution of subprojects identified by various
District Assemblies from their Medium Term Plans. Some of these projects range from the
construction of dams, roads to tree planting using labour supplied by the poor in such
communities.
According to Mr Austin, more than 50% of funds voted under the programme go directly into the
pockets of beneficiaries and this has improved their access to education, health and other
services. He said a majority of these beneficiaries are from the SADA zone where inequality and
poverty issues are more pronounced.
Finally, he said LIPW just like any other project is faced with challenges which include the
following:
 Inadequate funds;
 Limited duration of project (off- season nature of project);
 Low commitment by District Assemblies in co-funding some sub-projects
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He extended an invitation to SADA to collaborate with GSOP to sustain the programme.
3.3. Presentation on the Expanded LEAP
This presentation was made by Mr. Williams Niyuni, from the Department of Social Welfare.
According to Mr. Niyuni, LEAP is both a conditional and unconditional cash transfer
programme which targets the poorest and most vulnerable groups in Ghana, and provides them
with a springboard to „LEAP‟ out of poverty.
He said the broad objective of LEAP is to reduce poverty by increasing consumption and
promoting access to services and opportunities among the extreme poor and vulnerable. He
indicated that the key beneficiaries included: Orphan and Vulnerable Children (OVC) and their
caregivers; the elderly who are 65years and above without any means of support and persons
with severe disabilities without productive capacity.
According to Mr. Niyuni, the programme as at October 2014 was benefiting 77,006 households
in 103 districts. These beneficiaries receive cash transfers every two months and the amounts
range from 48 to 90 Ghana Cedis depending on the number of beneficiaries in the household.
Mr. Niyuni stated that in terms of impact, the LEAP evaluation reports indicate that the project
has impacted positively on the lives of the poorest households in society especially those in the
SADA zone. The impact according to him cuts across sectors such as education, health,
agriculture production, and local economic activities. He also noted that about 90% of LEAP
beneficiaries have been registered and linked to various NHIS nation-wide whiles there is also
the potential to generate additional GH¢2.5 for every GH¢1 injected into the economy under the
programme.
He noted that over the years, the LEAP project implementation has improved due to the use of a
Common Targeting Mechanism (CTM) and Proxy Means Test Questionnaires for targeting
beneficiaries; robust Management Information Systems for tracking cash transfers; use of
electronic modes of payments; specialists support from DFID and UNICEF and increase in
Government of Ghana (GoG) funding of the programme from GH¢2Million in 2007 to
GH¢38Million in 2014.
He indicated that there was an on-going collaboration with UNICEF (with USAID funds) to
implement “LEAP 1000” which has a strong nutritional component in ten selected districts in the
Northern and Upper East Regions.
3.4. Update on mapping out the social sector in the SADA zone
This presentation was done by Dr. Alex Braimah of University of Ghana. This session was
moderated by Madam Radhika Lal of UNDP, Ghana.
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The presentation was brief and basically centered on what the mapping exercise entails, how
organisations could contribute, expected benefits and nature of the end product. Dr. Braimah
explained that the exercise is expected to map out all existing infrastructure, gaps/deficits and
actors in all sectors including the social sectors in the SADA zone. He encouraged the
participating institutions to contribute to the mapping in the following ways:
 By providing information on their areas of operation;
 Type of interventions;
 Who their programmes target
 Conditions for accessing their services
 Information of cost and funding of their interventions;
 Any other relevant information.
He indicated that the mapping will be beneficial to users in the following ways:
 It will allows you to know who needs your service;
 It will indicate how users could contact you for your service;
 It will serve as a marketing platform for your organization;
 It will make it possible for you to know who else is doing what;
 It will promote collaboration with others.
According to him, the information gathered from the exercise will be processed into maps and
other forms which will be stored in a user-friendly platform for easy access by all. He also used
the forum to circulate templates to participating organizations to populate the kinds of data they
had about their organizations.
3.5. Comments/ Questions and Contributions on Technical Presentations
During the questions and answers session, participants raised a number of concerns which were
addressed by the resource persons. The key issues raised and the answers provided are indicated
below:
3.5.1. Questions on Technical Presentations
Participants wanted clarifications on the following issues:
i. Explanation on the role of SADA in the approved institutional governance framework
presented by the MoGCSP to cabinet for approval:;
ii. The possibility of other organisations collaborating with the Ministry of LGRD under the
LIPW programme;
iii. Clarification on the impact of LEAP on education;
iv. Strategies for ensuring the effectiveness of the social protection programmes;
v. Clarification on whether LEAP was interested in increasing the number of beneficiaries
or on the impact of the programme.
3.5.2. Answers provided to questions posed on Technical Presentations
The resource persons provided the following answers to the questions posed by the participants
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i. Mr. Mawutor indicated that his Ministry will collaborate with SADA to
ensure the regional and district social protection committees are formed and
operating effectively;
ii. Mr. Austin on his part indicated that there was opportunities for collaborating with other
organisations on the LIPW programme. He encouraged participating organisations to
contact the regional coordinators of the LIPW programme in the regions to explore these
collaborations;
iii. Mr. Niyuni said through the cash transfers, poor households are able to purchase school
uniforms and basic learning materials for their children to stay in school;
iv. The resource persons indicated that the key strategies they are using to improve social
protection programmes delivery include: the of common targeting mechanisms; use of
electronic payment systems; and the deployment of the agreed framework for
institutional governance of social protection programmes;
v. The resource persons also indicated that in as much as the number of beneficiaries was
important, the managers of the social protection programmes are very much interested in
the pact of the programmes as well. It is in this vain that rigorous monitoring and
evaluation systems have been put in place to tract the impact of the programmes.
4.0. Panel sessions
The round table forum also had a panel of discussants sharing their perspectives on the following
topics: The Ghana National Targeting System; the role of Regional Coordinating Councils
(RCC) in coordinating the social sector as well as that of SADA. This session was moderated by
Madam Clare Dube of UNICEF. The highlights of these discussions are presented below:
4.1. Role of the RCCs in coordinating social sector
Alhaji Abdul-Karim Adam, Northern Region Economic Planning Officer shared his perspective
on the above topic. Alhaji Karim indicated that the RCCs are responsible for coordinating,
monitoring and evaluating all development activities. They are also responsible for harmonizing
the development plans of MMDAs and also the monitoring of the use of funds disbursed to them.
Alhaji Karim indicated that given the importance of social services in promoting the wellbeing
and economic growth in the regions, all RCCs have made it a point to monitor the level of
investments in this sector and the quality of service delivery. He indicated that through platforms
such as the Regional Planning Coordinating Units (RPCUs) meetings; Development Partners
(DPs) meetings and the mapping of development interventions, the RCCs are able to play their
mandatory roles.
He however, indicated that the RCCs have a number of challenges related to their role in
planning and monitoring the social sector. These include:
 The lack of funds to hold regular RPCUs and DPs meetings;
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
The lack of information on the work of some DPs and NGOs operating in the regions.
He also indicated that the establishment of a regional development authority like SADA presents
an opportunity for addressing some of the challenges listed above. According to him, SADA
could support the work of the RCCs to improve the social sector in the following ways:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
SADA participating in the RCCS and DPs meetings;
SADA involving the RCCs in the role-out of social interventions;
SADA facilitating meetings of stakeholders to review the social sector;
SADA collaborating with the RCCs to map out development interventions;
SADA supporting the training of RCC staff in GIS mapping;
SADA supporting the RCCs to establish Data documentation Centres;
SADA supporting the RCCs to monitor and evaluate programmes / projects.
In reaction to the concern from a participant related to the proliferation of NGOs in the regions
and districts without the consent of the RCCs and DAs, Alhaji Karim indicated that the mapping
of development partners and formation of regional and district social protection committees will
help in streamlining the activities of NGOs in the Regions and Districts..
4.2. The objectives of the Ghana National Targeting System
Mr. Mawutor, from the MoGCSP shared his perspective on the importance of the GNTS. He said
the overarching objective of the GNTS was to improve the targeting of beneficiaries for social
protection programmes and to address the common criticism that social protection programmes
meant for the vulnerable in the society often end up benefiting people outside this bracket.
According to him, the GNTS will ensure that a common targeting system will be used to
identify, prioritize and select households living in vulnerable conditions. This will ensure that the
resources allocated to the different social programmes reach the people with the greatest need.
According to him the CTS to be employed will use multiple dimensions that affect welfare such
as education, household demographics, occupation, housing conditions, assets, and access to
basic services. Broadly it will be a cost-efficient way of using multiple variables to target the
vulnerable population of Ghana.
He mentioned that plans were far advanced for the roll-out of the GNTS which will begin with a
pilot programme in the Upper West Region of Ghana. He said a participatory approach will be
used in developing the GNTS and encouraged all stakeholders to contribute to the process.
4.3. The Role of SADA in coordinating social sector
The presenter Mr. Chrys Anab indicated that SADA as a regional development authority
covering sixty three MMDAs has a role to play in the effective delivery of social services within
the SADA zone.
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He indicated that as per the SADA mandate, the authority is positioning its self to improve
the coordination, effectiveness and efficiency of social services in the SADA regions: According
to him key initiatives planned by SADA for 2015 include the following:
1. Comprehensive mapping of the social sector to among other things; identify existing
social infrastructure, gaps/deficits and actors in the social sector. He indicated that a
consultant has already been engaged on this exercise with technical and financial support
from UNDP and the World Bank;
2. Development of a baseline for the SADA region. This is absolutely important in
monitoring progress and future impact of the various social interventions in the sector;
3. Researching into appropriate coordination model to operationalize the Authority`s
coordination mandate under ACT 805 especially with respect to the social services
sector;
4. Identifying what social programmes to scale-up within the SADA zone. Efforts will be
made to identify opportunities for collaborating with existing institutions to scale-up
some social interventions including:LEAP, the Standford Clinics model, SADA MVP
model, the Food for work model implemented by World Food Programme (WFP), Heifer
International Livestock model, the market development model of DFID, the RING
project model of USAID to mention but a few.
5. Strengthening institutional governance of the MMDAs within the SADA zone.
Mr. Anab ended on the note that SADA was looking forward to working with the various
partners to achieve the above priorities planned for the social sector. After his presentation, some
of the participants wanted clarification on the responsibility of the RCC, MOFA and SADA
especially in agricultural investments. Mr. Anab explained that the three organizations
complement each other in their functions. He indicated that MoFA as a technical institution
responsible for agricultural development in the country has expertise to advise investors on what
crops to grow and in which parts of the country . The RCCs are equally important because the
coordinate the development in the regions and are able to assist investors in the acquisition of
land and access to other resources within the regions. SADA on the other hand operates at a
higher level than the individual RCCs. SADA‟s role include facilitating and coordinating
investments across the SADA zone which covers sixty three MMDAs. SADA serves as a bridge
for facilitating investments across regions. Other participants wanted to know how SADA was
mainstreaming issues of disability into its programmes. Mr. Anab explained that, SADA was an
inclusive organization and has for instance made the agricultural input support programme
accessible to persons with disabilities.
15
5.0. Group Work and Plenary sessions
In order to solicit the views of participants on how to improve the social sector, participants were
put into five working groups to discusses key constraints facing the sector; recommend ways for
improving delivery in the sector and how SADA and other DPs could contribute to addressing
the challenges identified for the sector. This session was moderated by Dr. Abebe Hankore of WFP,
Ghana. The feedbacks from the working groups are presented below:
5.1. Feedback from Education Group
5.1.1. Three top most constraints in Education within the SADA Zone
a. Ineffectiveness of governance structures notably (District Education Oversight
Committees; School Management Committees and Parent-Teacher-Associations);
b. Inadequate trained teachers and teaching Learning Materials;
c. Inadequate approved school facilities.
5.1.2. Recommendations for resolving constraints in Education in the SADA zone
a. Strengthen governance structures through:
 Capacity building
 Setting performance targets
 Provision of logistics
b. Address teacher shortage through:
 Training of more teachers;
 Review policy on distance learning;
 Rationalization of teachers;
 Scholarship and community level bonding of teachers.
c. Building of more schools by DAs which are child friendly to address the problem of
access
5.1.3. Role of SADA and Development Partners in resolving Education Constraints
a. Supporting capacity building programmes for education governance structures;
b. Supporting the expansion of the complementary education programme for children of
deprived communities;
c. Facilitating annual education planning sessions at the regional and district levels.
5.2. Feedback from Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) Group
5.2.1. Three top most constraints in Disaster Risk Reduction within the SADA Zone
a. Lack of genuine collaboration amongst actors in DRR e.g. fire & flood management etc;
b. Inadequate funds and resources to implement intended activities;
c. Political interference/lack of political will in DRR issues.
16
5.2.2. Participants recommendations for resolving constraints in DRR in the SADA zone
a. Institute a legal framework for coordination & establishment of disaster fund;
b. Involvement of communities in planning and implementation of DRR activities;
c. MMDAs should be bold to implement what is right to reduce disasters.
5.2.3. Role of SADA and Development Partners in resolving DRR Constraints
a. SADA and DPs should mobilize resources for DRR activities, especially a disaster fund;
b. SADA and DPs should initiate capacity building programmes for key DRR institutions;
c. SADA and DPs should support coordination activities in DRR. E.g. reviews, planning
M&E etc.
5.3. Feedback from Health and Nutrition Group
5.3.1. Three top most constraints in Health and Nutrition within the SADA zone
a. Duplication of programmes in the sector;
b. Over concentration of DPs on capacity building with less focus on infrastructure and
logistics requirements needs for the sector;
c. Inadequate mechanisms for ensuring the sustainability of programmes.
5.3.2. Recommendations for dealing with Health & Nutrition constraints in the SADA zone
a. Mapping out actors and programmes in the health & nutrition sectors in the SADA zone;
b. Set up coordination mechanisms for the health & nutrition sectors in the SADA zone;
c. Supporting the NHIA to improve on its services in the SADA zone.
5.3.3. Role of SADA and DPs in resolving Health and Nutrition Constraints
a. SADA and DPs should initiate comprehensive mapping of the social sector in the SADA
zone;
b. SADA and DPs should facilitate development of consolidated annual work plans for the
various social sectors;
c. SADA and DPs should support the NHIA to improve its services in the SADA zone.
5.4. Feedback from Water and Sanitation Group
5.4.1. Three top most constraints in Water and Sanitation within the SADA zone
a. Difficult geological zones that hinder easy access to ground water in the SADA zones
(high fluoride);
b. Poor attitudes towards sanitation management;
c. Low investments from MMDAs in water and sanitation, making these sectors largely
donor dependent.
5.4.2. Recommendations for resolving constraints in Water and Sanitation
a. Address constraints in water management through:
17
 Promotion of rain water harvesting techniques in the zone;
 Construction of dams and reservoirs in the flood prone areas for irrigation.
b. Address constraints on sanitation through:
 Enforcement of sanitation by-laws by MMDAs;
 MMDAs supporting communities with basic equipment to carry out clean-up
activities.
c. Incentivizing private sector to invest in water and sanitation sectors in the SADA zone.
5.4.3. Role of SADA and DPs in resolving Water & Sanitation Constraints
a. Support annual planning and review meetings for these sectors;
b. Facilitate private sector investments in the water and sanitation sectors in the SADA
zone;
c. Support MMDAs in the SADA zone with requisite capacity to enforce WASH by-laws.
5.5. Feedback from Social Protection Group
5.5.1. Three top most constraints in Social Protection within the SADA zone
a. Increasing poverty in the zone due to the negative effects of climate change;
b. Negative Traditional Practices limiting opportunities for women and persons with
disabilities;
c. Few and fragmented social protection programmes in the SADA zone.
5.5.2. Recommendations for resolving constraints in Social Protection in the SADA zone
a. Promotion of climate smart agriculture in the SADA zone ;
b. Advocating for women to have access productive land;
c. Integrating the various social protection programmes to improve their impact on the
vulnerable.
5.5.3. Role of SADA and DPs in resolving Social Protection constraints
a. SADA and DPs should support the mapping of social protection programmes in the
SADA zone;
b. SADA and DPs should support the MoGCSP to form and operationalize regional and
district social protection committees;
c. SADA and DPs should support the MoGCSP to develop the National Social Protection
Strategy and operationalize the GNTS.
6.0. Key Recommendations
Participants at the social protection round table forum came out with the following
recommendations for the consideration of the various stakeholders.
a. Comprehensive mapping of the social sector in the SADA zone
18
The participants recommended that SADA should partner with DPs to conduct a
comprehensive mapping of the social sector in the zone. They argued that the production of
sector maps for the SADA zone will provide a solid basis for avoiding duplications in
programme delivery and ensuring effective coordination of the activities of the various
actors. The mapping will include key attributes such as: key actors in the sector; key
interventions in the sector for addressing specific challenges; location and scale of projects
and programmes; funding duration; infrastructure situation to mention but a few. Key sectors
recommended by the participants for immediate mapping included the following:
 Education
 Health
 Nutrition
 Social protection
 Water and Sanitation
 Disasters
b. Consolidation of annual work plans for social sector
The participants also recommended that SADA should facilitate the annual planning
processes for the zone to ensure the production of consolidated annual work plans for the
various sectors. These consolidated work plans should capture planned activities and
budgets of government and development partners for the SADA zone. This will ensure
efficient use of resources and equitable development in the SADA zone.
c. Strengthening of social sector working groups
The participants recommended that, stakeholders in the SADA zone needed platforms to
contribute to national policy dialogues (such as the development of the National Social
Protection Policy, Ghana National Targeting System etc), net work and improve
programmes monitoring and evaluation. They reckon that some of these working groups
do exist in the SADA zone, but they were mostly non-functional; adhoc or of limited
value to members. They therefore recommended the formation or strengthening of the
following working groups within the SADA zone:
 Social protection working group
 Education working group
 Health working group
 Nutrition working group
 Disaster Risk Reduction working Group
 Water and Sanitation working group
d. Development of a centralised information platform for social sector
The participants also recommended that SADA should facilitate the creation and
mantenance of a common platform for sharing information for the social sector for the
19
SADA zone. The data gathering processes will be decentralized but the management and
sharing functions will be centralised. This will provide stakeholders with the required
information for planning and networking.
e. Building capacity of RCCs and DAs in Planning, M&E and Learning
The participants from the RCCs and DAs who participated in the round table forum made
specific requests to SADA and other DPs to help build the capacity of their institutions. They
identified GIS mapping as one area they will require training.
f. Establishment of a SADA zone Disaster Fund
The participants recommended that given the vulnerability of the SADA zone to floods and
droughts, which often displace many households, it will be helpful to have a dedicated fund
for disasters and emergencies for the SADA zone. This fund will be available to address
issues of disasters and emergencies when they do occur timeously.
g. Formation of Regional and District Social Protection Committees
The MoGCSP also requested partnership with SADA and DPs in the formation and
operationalisation of the Regional and Districts Social Protection Committees for the SADA
zone. The MoGCSP indicated that they will collaborate with SADA, DPs and the Local
Government Service Secretariat (LGSS) to ensure this happens within the first quarter of
2015.
7.0. Closing
The forum came to a close with a word of appreciation from the chair of SADA to UNICEF and
UNDP for partnering with SADA to convene this important forum. She equally thanked the
participants for their useful contributions and gave the assurance that SADA and her
collaborators will act on the recommendations that were tabled at the forum.
20
8.0. Annexes
8.1. Round table forum programme
10TH DECEMBER, 2014, VENUE: UDS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE CENTRE, TAMALE
8:30am
Arrival/Registration
9:00am
Opening Ceremony
Introduction of the High Table :( MC)
Introduction of Chair: Chrys, SADA
Chair: Charles Abugre, CEO, SADA
Chairman‟s Remarks
Statements by:



9:30am
MoGCSP
UNDP
UNICEF
Keynote Address

Hon. Northern Regional Minister
10:00am
Closing and Departure of Hon. Minister
10:15am
Coffee Break
10:45am
Social Protection for equity in development and protection in the face of risk and
vulnerability
There will be three presentations on this theme
(i) Emerging developments in social protection in Ghana
(ii) Understanding the dimensions of the expanded Leap
(iii) Contributing to addressing youth unemployment in the SADA regions through LabourIntensive Public Works
Presenters:
(i) Mawutor Ablo, Director for Social Protection, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social
Protection
(ii) Robert Austin, National Coordinator, Ghana Social Opportunities Project, Ministry of
Local Government and Rural Development
(iii) William Niyuni, LEAP Deputy programme Manager
Moderator: Abebe Hankore (WFP, Ghana)
21
11:30am
Q&A
12: noon
Delivering Social Protection and social services in the SADA zone
Three panelists will share their perspectives on the following:

Ghana National Household Registry ( Panelist from the World Bank)

Reaching the most vulnerable through enhanced coordination ( Panelists from
Regional Coordination Council and SADA)
Moderator: Peter Ragno, (UNICEF, Ghana).
12: 30pm
Q&A
1:00pm
Lunch
2:00pm
Promoting enhanced delivery and Access to Social Services
Participants will work in one of the following groups:
Group 1: Education Group; 2: Disaster Risk Reduction Group; 3: Health and Nutrition; 4:
Water and Sanitation and; Group 5: Food Security and Social Protection
Focus of group discussions:
(i) Identify three constraints with regard to programmes and coordination across them in the
sector
(ii) Propose solutions to the constraints identified
(iii) Identify key stakeholders who should be on-board with regard to strengthen networking
and collaboration and with a view to resolving the constraints over time
2:40pm
Plenary presentations and Feedback
Moderator: Clare Dube (UNICEF, Ghana)
3:30pm
Thoughts on mapping out the social services sectors- Dr. Alex Braimah-CERGIS
Moderator: Radhika Lal (UNDP, Ghana)
3:45pm
Q&A
4:15pm
Summary of key conclusions by SADA
4:30pm
Closing Remarks & Vote of Thanks
5:00pm
Refreshment
22
8.2. List of Participants
No.
Name
1. Susan Ngongi
2. Radhika LaL
Organization /
Title
Country Director, UNICEF
Econ. Advisor, UNDP
3. Clara Dube
CFO, Tamale, UNICEF
4. James Bever
Mission Director, USAID
5. Andy Karas
6. Luigi Peter Ragno
Dep. Missions Director,
USAID
SP Specialist, UNICEF
7. Mawutor Ablo
SP Director, MoGCSP
8. Bidoma Dawuni
PRO, RCC, NR
9. Paul Osei-Duffor
PM, CDD
10. Magdalene Moshi
Deputy CD, WFP
11. Abebe Hankore
HSO, WFP
12. Gyamila AbdulRazak
13. B.H Osman
PO,WFP
14. Ibrahim Tanko A
PM, STAR-Ghana
15. Muntaka Hafiz
National Facilitator,UN
Reach
REPO,RCC,NR
16. Abdul-Karim
Adam
17. Nana Kofi
Gyimah
18. Edward Akapire
REPO, RPCU, Wa
PO, NRPCU
Country Rep, CFTC
19. Richard Amoah
Senior Mgr, AFRIKIDS
20. Hamidu Haruna
21. Paul Wooma
Reg, Director, Social
Welfare, UER
PO, NADMO
22. Abugbill M.A
Reg Dir, Env. Health, UER
23. Gregory S. Naah
Reg Dir, Social Welfare,
23
Contacts (phone no. & e-mail)
Email: [email protected]
Phone:0501323610
e-mail:[email protected]
Phone:0244331908
Phone:
e-mail:
Phone:0244325984
Phone:0247679041
e-mail: [email protected]
Phone:0208164210
Phone:0548984083
Phone:0243135458
Phone:0544320435
Phone:054011475
Phone:0244311288
Phone:0208384696
e-mail:
Phone:0244547242
e-mail:
Phone:0544316568
e-mail:
Phone:0245377259
e-mail:
Phone:0240120549
e-mail:
Phone:0208493339
Phone:0202227602
Phone:0208890602
Phone:0206381927
Phone:0202348519
Phone:0203548376
24. Vivian Kaba
Wa
Asst Dir, GES, Bolga
25. Lena Alai
Reg Dir, DoC, Ho
26. Philip Yinbil
REPO, UER
27. Abdallah Kassim
ED, RUMNET
28. Latifa Abobo
Reg Dir, Dep of Chn, Wa
29. Emmanuel Adii
CWSA, PESS, Bolga
30. Stephen OpokuTuffuor
31. Henry Bagah
Reg Dir,CWSA, Sunyani
32. Georgina
Abebrese-Ako
33. Ketu Dorothy
Reg Dir, DoC,Bolga
34. Ansogletuo
Simon Peter
35. Alhaji Bawah
Seidu
36. Nana Osei Aseidu
GES, Wa ( rep)
37. Mrs. Angelina M.
Domakyeaareh
38. Robert Austin
SADA, Board Chair
39. Anoky Akwasi
Baafi
40. Edwin Gamadeku
GHS, Sunyani (rep)
41. William Niyuni
Dep Dir, DSW,Accra
42. George Yaw
Ankanae
43. Yvonne W.
Wonchua
44. Christopher
Afenyo
45. Abena
Acheampong
46. David Sumbo
Reg Dir, Dept of Chn, B/A
47. Catherine Obosu
CNO, GHS, VR
48. Theophilius
De. Dir, GHS, Wa
Reg Dir, Env. Health, Wa
DSW,Bolga ( rep)
Reg Coord, NADMO,Wa
Reg Coord, NADMO, B/A
Nat. Coord, GSOP
Reg Dir, Dept of Chn, Ho
Asst Dir, UE, RCC
REPO, VRCC, Ho
Country Dir, WUSC
Team Leader, SADA MVP
24
Phone:0203844358
Phone:0244013704
Phone:0246409502
Phone:0244218898
Phone:0208421651
Phone:0244845879
Phone:0208384184
e-mail:
Phone:0208398987
Phone:0208338522
Phone:0249385947
e-mail:
Phone:0208721166
Phone:
e-mail:
Phone:0208081335
Phone:0244328773
e-mail:
Phone:0244655211
Phone:0506188718
Phone:0244813645
Phone:0244586814
Phone:0209229230
Phone: 0208159053
Phone:0208187288
Phone:0204651138
Phone:0244894018
Phone:0277799035
Phone:0242110112
Owusu Ansah
49. Humphrey Brandt
50. Wuniah Sarah
51. Amponsah
Abigail
52. Sulley Alhassan
53. Ziblim A. Shaibu
54. Theophilus
Dokurugu
55. Abass Karim Nyo
Dep. Dir, Env health, B/A
Reg Dir, Dept of Women,
Bolga
Dep Dir, DoW, Wa
NADMO, NR
Deputy Coord.
NYA, Reg. Director,NR
NGND, Executive Sec.,NR
57. Mohammed
Zakaria
58. Abass Ibrahim
SADA, Coord.
AM&FS,NR
SEND GH, Prog.
Manager,NR
LESDEP, Credit
Officer,NR
LESDEP, Metro Co.,NR
59. Rex Japka
NEHSO, REHO,NR
60. Mustapha Sanah
Northern Ghana Aid,
Executive Chair,NR
CWSA,ESS
56. John Nkaw
61. Abdalla Goro
62. Ndo Grumanuel
S.
63. Fred Nantogmah
64. Jonathan N.
65. Paul Osei.
66. Fred Kumi
67. Bako Issaka
68. Agnes A. Gandaa
69. Kandoh Macarius
NHIA-NR,Reg. MIS
Basic Needs
Knowledge & Comm.
Officer,NR
CCFC, Program Officer
CDD-Gh, Program
Manager,NR
NOGAID,Program
Officer,NR
ISODEC, Policy
Analyst,NR
ISODEC, Coord. NGP,NR
70. Mariama Mahama
GIGDEV,
Administrator,NR
GES, HRMD for RDE
71. Bridget Parwar
MOFA, RAO-WIAD,NR
72. Isaac Bayor
WANEP-GHANA
National Coord.,NR
25
Phone:0205114939
e-mail:
Phone:0247155632
e-mail:
Phone:0543321652
Phone: 0241257697
e-mail:
Phone: 0244156278
Phone: 0207542913
Phone:
Phone: 0549625001
e-mail:
Phone: 0243241419
Phone:0243241552
e-mail:
Phone: 024405304
e-mail:
Phone: 0242535386
Phone: 0242943999
e-mail:
Phone: 0243325904
e-mail:
Phone: 0203035236
Phone: 0209988338
Phone: 0248935458
e-mail:
Phone:0244434074
e-mail:
Phone: 0503237839
Phone: 0244592143
Phone: 0263223222
Phone: 0208270114
Phone: 0246321144
Phone: 0243329423
73. S. A. Sumed
GWD,Centre Manger,NR
74. Francis Avura
CARE, P O,NR
75. Nuhu Sulemana
CARE, NR
Livelihood & DRR Officer
MOFA, NSAICU Coord.
76. Janet C. Adama
77. Prof Seidu
Alhassan
78. Idris Sandey
ICEIR, UDS, Director,NR
80. Vivian Adams
DOC, Regional
Director,NR
Dept. Of Gender, Prog.
Officer,NR
WOSAG,Director,NR
81. Hardi Tijani
RAINS, Director,NR
82. John Ankrah
DSW, Director,NR
83. Chrys Anab
Coordinator, Social Dev‟t
& gender, SADA, Tamale
Director, IDP, SADA,
Tamale
GIS specialist, Univ. of
Ghana
79. Alhassan Bushira
84. Emmanuel
Abeere-Inga
85. Alex braimah
Owusu
26
Phone: 0246610439
Phone: 0208137503
Phone: 0248406305
Phone:0540798302
e-mail:
Phone: 0244217888
Phone: 0208759538
e-mail:
Phone: 0244538527
Phone: 0244087489
Phone: 0244571226
Phone: 0244216454
Phone:[email protected]
e-mail:0244821024
Phone:0501329534
Phone:0540230420

SADA Moves to improve social protection in the NSEZ

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