Where advocacy has worked in FP in Ghana, West Africa

1
Where advocacy has worked in FP in Ghana, West
Africa

• Work of the FP/RH Advocacy Networks in Eastern
  Central Regions
• by Kate Parkes
• Participation Coordinator POLICY/Ghana

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What I will talk about

• Positive Environment
• The Participatory Approach
• Favourable Policy environment for ADVOCACY
• Small beginnings of RH/FP Advocacy Networks in
  the Eastern Region
• Networks activities
• Regional TOT Advocacy workshop and effect on
  Ghana Team
• Formation of Policy Champion Group
• Activities of the group and impact on D/As
• Positive Outcomes

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Positive Environment

• Revised 1994 Population Policy
• ICPD
• Decentralization process - NPC - Local
  Government Reform

4
The Participation Program

• PARTICIPATORY APPROACH
• Create a supportive environment for FP/RH
  Programs including HIV/AIDS through promotion
  of a participatory policy process that respond
  to clients needs

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Broadened Participation in the Policy Process

• Empowerment of stakeholders to
• Participate in development process
• Build Capacity of NGOs to represent needs and
  interest of the community
• Encourage NGOs to network

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Small Beginnings

• Initiating the Participation Program
• Collaborate with NPC implementing
  district/sub-district level advocacy in
  population in the Eastern Region to give
  visibility to population activities

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Small Beginnings (Contd)

• LONG-TERM OBJECTIVES OF ADVOCACY ACTIVITIES
• Ensure greater representation of population,
  FP/RH program in district Development Planning
• Increase level of funds allocated for population,
  FP/RH activities in pilot districts
• Promote community participation
• SHORT-TERM OBJECTIVES OF ADVOCACY ACTIVITIES
• Assist in the development of regional, district
  and sub-district level RH advocacy Networks in
  pilot areas.
• Sensitize local decision-makers about local RH
  concerns and needs

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Development of FP/RH Advocacy Networks

• Preliminary visits with stakeholders with public
  and NGO Sectors
• Planning committee formed NGO, MOH, Regional
  Population Officer
• Inaugural Meeting to introduce proposed
  activities
• Follow-up meetings with stakeholders to finalize
  decision on formation of advocacy networks
• Identification of need for Capacity building
• Provision of TA Advocacy training

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RH ADVOCACY NETWORKS ACTIVITIES

• Who are they?
• Comprise representatives of Government Agencies,
  NGOs and Individuals with diverse interest but a
  common mission of improving the quality of life
  and status of the population
• RH Networks currently have as members 145 NGOs
  and CBOs

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Scope of Networks Programme

• Data Collection
• Building Constituency
• Lobbying
• Message Development and Delivery
• One to One Education
• Fundraising
• Advocacy presentations to Chiefs, Elders,
  Religious Leaders,
• Linking-up with District assemblies and RPAC

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RH Advocacy Networks Contd

• Structure of Networks
• Executive Committee
• Sub-committees with specific functions
• Special groups formed for the purposes making
  presentations when the need arises
• How Do the Networks Function?
• They are non-bureaucratic
• They have operating procedures for holding
  meetings on regular basis
• They have communication plan that ensures sharing
  of information on population activities of member
  organizations

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Networks First Advocacy Workshop

• Major Task Undertaken
• Understanding Advocacy
• Conduct Policy Analysis
• Identification of RH/FP policy issues of concern
  to their district
• Development of Mission Statements
• Formulation of Strategies
• Development of Advocacy Action Plans

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Networks and Priority Policy Issues

• High Teenage Pregnancy
• High Incidence of STI/HIV/AIDS among young people

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Target Audiences

• District Chief Executives
• Chiefs and Opinion Leaders
• District Assemblies
• Religious Leaders
• Leaders of Civil Society
• Partners NPC/RPAC, AYA, DPAC, DHMTs

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Activity Sample of Networks

• A. Akwapim South
• Organized presentations on the districts ARH
  including HIV/AIDS status for DCE, District
  Director of Education Services, Imams, Community
  leaders and Assembly member .
• B. Akwapim North
• Organized Focus Group Discussions on ARH with
  adults and adolescents to get qualitative
  information
• Organized presentations on districts HIV/AIDS
  status for DCE and the entire Assembly
• C. Kwaebibirem
• Disseminated findings on ARH survey conducted in
  17 towns and villages in the District the
  District Assemblymen

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Some Results of Activities

• District Chief Executive and other decision
  makers started addressing ARH issues and
  prevention of HIV/AIDS in their public Speeches
• District Assembly invited advocates to speak
  about ARH on their platform
• District Assemblies promised support for the work
  of networks.

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Creating an Enabling Environment for
Repositioning of FP

• Africa Region Workshop on advocacy for
  Repositioning FP
• Formation of Policy Champion group as outcome of
  workshop
• Fundraising
• Inaugural meetings with stakeholders in 10
  districts.
• Workshop for HIV/AIDS focal persons at the D/A
• Follow-up on Advocacy Action Plans of
  participants

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Policy Champions and Advocacy Objectives

• DA to commit funds (Garfund and common fund) they
  control for incorporating FP/RH in their HIV/AIDS
  prevention programmes
• Incorporate FP/RH issues in funding request

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Results of Advocating to Decision-Makers

• Gomoa District Chief Executive and the Assembly
  allocated funds from their Common Fund for
  renovation of a building to host a youth center
• AYA made a commitment to establish three youth
  centers in Kwahu South District
• Reallocating funds for programs of unmet needs
  for the adolescent
• Use of part of Districts Common Fund for
  repositioning FP activities
• New Juaben District Assembly allocated funds for
  FP/RH in their HIV/AIDS workplace programmes

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Impact

• Training of NGOs/CBOs in Advocacy for
  Repositioning FP.
• Municipal Assembly sponsored Community Fora on
  sexual Reproductive health issues relating to
  HIV/AIDS.
• Partnership with GHS in its 5-year program of
  action incorporating FP in maternal and child
  health activities.

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Positive Outcomes

• Participants learnt how to use advocacy as a tool
  to champion the repositioning of FP
• Training of RPACS for repositioning of FP
• Establishing good relationships with District
  Assemblies help Networks convey their messages
• Capacity Building in Advocacy assures effective
  leadership in NGOs/CBOs at the community level
• Fostering public-private partnership encourages
  NGO/civil society participation in government
  policy development
• Promote popular support for FP/RH at community
  level
• Sharing of expertise improve the capacity of
  small organizations
• Networks create linkage between communities and
  district decision makers

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