The Rural Initiative of Self-Empowerment-Ghana has intensified efforts to boost grassroots participation in governance by equipping women and youth groups with advocacy skills to push for greater representation and accountability in decision-making spaces.
Under Phase II of its “Heard Everywhere and Represented Daily (HEARD)” project, the non-governmental organisation organised a stakeholder engagement aimed at helping community groups develop practical advocacy strategies to address governance challenges affecting women and young people.
The programme, funded by Norsaac, brought together community-based organisations, women’s groups and youth associations from the Bolgatanga Municipality and the Kassena Nankana West District.
Participants received training in advocacy planning, proposal development and community engagement strategies designed to help them influence policies and demand inclusive governance reforms in their communities.
Ms Bernice Atanga, Lead Project Officer for the HEARD project at RISE-Ghana, said the initiative was introduced to address the low representation of women and youth in governance institutions such as Parliament and local assemblies.
She explained that the project’s first phase, launched in 2024, focused on educating participants on governance systems, the National Youth Policy and the Affirmative Action Act to prepare them for leadership roles.
According to her, the second phase is now focused on helping six community groups design compelling advocacy proposals capable of attracting support from development partners.
“We are looking at them presenting action plans that are convincing enough for our sponsors to invest in and support solutions to the barriers identified in the communities,” she said.
Project Officer at RISE-Ghana, Mr John Kaguna, said participants would refine their proposals after the workshop and submit them to Norsaac for review and possible funding.
He noted that while the project initially intended to support all six groups, limited funding may mean only the strongest and most practical proposals receive immediate backing.
The initiative forms part of broader efforts to empower underrepresented groups to actively shape policies and drive inclusive development at the community level.
