The participants and officials of CSO-RISE in a group picture
The European Union Funded Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) in Research and Innovation for Sustainable Development (CSO—RISE) programme has started yielding results with scores of Ghanaians benefiting from sustainable agriculture, social protection and improved livelihood projects.
Showcasing the impact of the 5-year programme implemented by four CSOs within the northern and coastal areas of the country, Team Lead, Technical Assistance, Mary Osei, said the programme aims to contribute to inclusive growth and the reduction of social inequalities.
She further noted that the 9 million Euro project also forms part of interventions to support the priorities set in the Ghana Shared Growth and Development Agenda (GSGDA) II.
“We are looking at access to social protection and we are also looking at promoting employment and also influencing decent jobs in Ghana,” she said at a media workshop in Accra.
The implementing CSOs; Cerath Development Organisation (CDO), Centre for Local Government Advocacy, (CLGA) ActionAid and the Cooperazione Internazionale Sud (CISS) undertook initiatives in their capacities to address economic, social and climate-resilient issues through innovative interventions contributing to the sustainable management of ecosystems.
They revealed that over 6,000 persons had access to the programme including farmers, fishermen and households.
Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, ActionAid, Petercleaver Yabepone, presenting the reduction of rural poverty by promoting environmentally-sustainable agricultural practices thus contributing to the green economy project results said 1,503 young people, including persons with disabilities were mobilised in shea butter processing, honey production, nutritional gardening and farming as a business.
“Some 9,600 women were reached with education on social protection schemes. Conducted famer-led research on climate resilient strategies in the project districts and disseminated the findings of the research in all project districts
We also supported 300 communities to develop Community Adaptation Plans (CAPs),” he said.
Deputy Executive Director of CLGA, Gladys Tetteh, delivering the results of the ‘Promoting Access of Indigenous People to Decent Work and Social Protection in the Bono East Area (PRODESOP) Project’ said it introduced aquaculture on a larger scale in the Pru East and West Districts and137 persons are currently engaged in direct fish farming.
“Over 100 persons have been provided with 200-acre multiplication plot for ginger cultivating. Over 1240 persons have been trained in fish and ginger value chain,” she said.
Mercy Akuyea Ashong, Schedule Officer for CSO-RISE Programme, Ministry of Finance, said the project was impacting the lives of people in rural communities and help them make a better living standard.
She said the sector ministry was closely monitoring the project to ensure it was in line with the government’s policies and development objectives.
By Jamila Akweley Okertchiri