The National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) and the African Institute for Development Policy (AFIDEP) have reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening collaboration. This partnership aims to advance the Women's Economic Empowerment (WEE) Programme and promote gender-responsive development planning in Ghana. The renewed commitment follows a courtesy call by an AFIDEP delegation to the NDPC on Tuesday, July 21.
Discussions during the meeting focused on implementing the next phase of their collaboration. This phase builds upon a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed earlier this year. A key component is the preparation for a Gender-Responsive Budgeting and Planning (GRB) training programme. This training will target selected districts across Ghana, ensuring that local planning incorporates gender considerations.
This initiative fits into Ghana's broader economic story by addressing persistent gender inequalities. Empowering women economically can significantly boost national productivity and reduce poverty. Data consistently shows that countries with higher female labor force participation experience stronger economic growth. This collaboration seeks to leverage evidence-based policymaking to achieve these benefits.
Dr. Eliya Zulu, AFIDEP's Executive Director, emphasized the importance of this partnership. He stated, "We are a research and policy organisation, but our focus is to ensure that evidence translates into better development outcomes and improved well-being for citizens. Planning institutions such as NDPC are therefore critical partners in achieving this goal." Dr. Zulu also noted that AFIDEP's WEE initiative is currently being piloted in Ghana and Kenya.
The collaboration will lead to a more structured approach to integrating gender perspectives into national and local development plans. Decision-makers will need to ensure that the training program is effectively rolled out and its principles are adopted in budgeting processes. The success of this partnership could set a precedent for other development initiatives in Ghana and across Africa.
AFIDEP's Lead Economist, Dr. Jackson Otieno, confirmed that a concept note for the proposed training has been shared with the NDPC. Both organizations are working closely to refine the program before its implementation. This refinement includes developing a robust training-of-trainers component, which will ensure sustainability and wider reach of the program.
Dr. Audrey Smock Amoah, Director-General of the NDPC, welcomed the continued collaboration. She acknowledged that while the training did not align with the preparation of current Medium-Term Development Plans, it could still support the review of annual action plans and budgets. The intervention will also aid in preparing Annual Progress Reports, ensuring accountability and continuous improvement.
Dr. Amoah stated, "The proposed interventions align with the Commission's mandate and ongoing planning processes. We will provide feedback on the concept note through the appropriate technical team, and we encourage continued engagement between our two institutions." This indicates a strong institutional commitment from the NDPC to the program's success.
The long-term implications involve a more equitable distribution of resources and opportunities for women in Ghana. This could lead to increased female entrepreneurship, improved access to education, and better health outcomes. The partnership also promotes cross-country learning between Ghana and Kenya, potentially fostering regional best practices in gender-responsive development.
The focus on gender-responsive budgeting means that public funds will be allocated with a clearer understanding of their impact on women and men. This can lead to more efficient and effective use of government resources. It also ensures that development policies are inclusive and address the specific needs of all segments of the population, contributing to Ghana's overall sustainable development goals.