In a heartwarming display of community-driven change, members of the Tikpamsi Taaba Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) in Sagadugu, North East Region, have shared how the financial intervention has significantly transformed their lives, from empowering women to supporting families and businesses.
The VSLA, which was established as part of Plan International Ghana’s Integrated Package for Sustainable Development (IPADEV) project, has been lauded for its positive impact on the economic wellbeing of the community. In a creative show of appreciation, women members composed a song praising the VSLA box as their “saviour,” symbolising its role as a reliable financial safety net in times of need.
Madam Munira Naaton, a member of the VSLA, expressed how access to low-interest loans (at just 10%) had made a tangible difference in her life, particularly when it came to meeting the educational needs of her children. “Before I joined, life was tough. Now, I can easily access funds to buy school books, manage family needs, and even build a toilet facility for my household,” she shared.
This transformation was highlighted during a visit to the Sagadugu, Mimima, and Guabuliga communities, as part of a three-day capacity-building workshop for journalists organised by Plan International Ghana. The visit underscored the significant role of the VSLA in enabling women to become financially independent and better able to handle life’s challenges.
The impact of the She Leads project, another key initiative by Plan International Ghana, was also evident in the Guabuliga community, where community leaders like Naa Salifu Mahama Tampuri spoke of the programme’s success in addressing the challenges faced by Girls and Young Women (GYW). In his traditional jurisdiction, early marriage, school dropout, and lack of leadership interest were common. However, the She Leads Girls Club has been instrumental in empowering young women to pursue education, leadership roles, and personal development.
Despite these successes, Naa Tampuri called for increased financial support for GYW aspiring to further their education at the tertiary level, highlighting the barriers they face due to limited resources.
Ms. Rukaya, a 24-year-old participant of the She Leads project, shared her personal journey of resilience, having been motivated to learn a trade after an early pregnancy interrupted her schooling. Today, she proudly serves as the secretary of her community’s dressmakers’ association, an achievement she credits to the confidence and leadership skills nurtured by the She Leads programme.
The joint efforts of Plan International Ghana and its partners are continuing to foster empowerment in rural communities, enabling individuals, particularly women and young girls, to overcome socio-economic challenges and contribute to sustainable development. These initiatives are proving to be crucial in breaking the cycle of poverty and gender inequality in the region.
