Akatsi north: Global Action for Women Empowerment (GLOWA), in collaboration with the Strengthening Investments in Gender-Responsive Climate Adaptation (SIGRA) project, has conducted a two-day capacity-building training for women-led Community-Based Organizations (CBOs) in the Akatsi North District of the Volta Region.
According to Ghana News Agency, the training, which took place on October 6 and 7, was designed to equip women-led and community-based organizations with the necessary knowledge and skills to engage effectively in local government public financial management processes. The goal was to promote inclusive and equitable development outcomes within their communities.
The initiative was implemented by Co-Water International (Co-Water Ghana) and supported by Global Affairs Canada under the SIGRA project. It aimed to deepen participants’ understanding of local development planning and budgeting while identifying entry points for civic engagement.
Participants were instructed on how to apply gender and social inclusion analysis to district plans and budgets. They also learned to develop evidence-based advocacy messages, facilitate inclusive community consultations, and establish follow-up mechanisms to ensure accountability in budget implementation.
Ms. Rosemond Ewoenam Atutonu, Executive Director of GLOWA, emphasized the importance of the training, highlighting its role in ensuring that communities, particularly women and vulnerable groups, are involved in ongoing local development planning processes.
‘Assemblies are currently collating community needs for their medium-term development plans. We organized this training so CBOs can return to their communities, identify and prioritize local needs, and advocate for their inclusion in these plans,’ she explained.
Ms. Atutonu further noted that while GLOWA had previously conducted similar training at the community level, this was the first aimed specifically at civil society and community-based organizations.
Mr. Iddrisu Issahaku, Regional Development Officer for the SIGRA project, stated that the overarching goal of SIGRA is to strengthen gender-responsive climate adaptation and enhance the resilience of women, children, and other vulnerable populations.
He mentioned that participants would take part in consultative meetings for the 2026 composite budget of the Akatsi North District Assembly before its approval by the end of October, ensuring that concerns of women, persons with disabilities, and other vulnerable groups are addressed.
Mr. Issahaku also noted the collaboration with Farm Radio International to strengthen community-level awareness on gender equality and climate change through women-led CBOs.
Participating groups included the Hairdressers Association, Ave-Havi Youth Development Group, Dzayime Youth Association, and Aleka Women and Girls Empowerment Ghana. Madam Adolphine Elinam Kudolo, a representative of Aleka Women and Girls Empowerment Ghana, praised the initiative for enhancing their understanding of engagement with the district assembly on governance and budgeting issues.
The training is part of ongoing efforts under the SIGRA project to promote inclusive governance and strengthen women’s participation in local development planning across Ghana.