The women were impressed with the training process and demonstrated hands-on trial which they passed. The majority of these women have seasonal farming as their main occupation and by this training, they will be empowered to earn income all year round from the new skill gained to support their families boost the local economy and reduce poverty levels.

Beneficiaries were oriented with the process of buying start-up chemicals from trusted dealers to enable them to run profits. Through this training, we expect job creation and improved personal hygiene in their various household since the soap produced are relatively cheaper and can last longer serving their needs.

Our Gender Desk Specialist Madam Suzanna Bijido encouraged them to make efforts to put the training into practice by starting their own business and taking advantage of markets, festivals, funerals and large gatherings to make sales.

We engaged a total of sixty people living with disabilities with various disabilities ranging from physical to cognitive impairments. Activities included the sharing of snacks which included, drinks, meat pie, fried chicken and biscuits. Participants were thrilled with cultural songs and dance, they also had the opportunity to voice out their concerns and received clarity and emotional support from our volunteers. Each person was also supported with a litre of liquid soap to assist them in maintaining personal hygiene.

Participants expressed gratitude for the nutritious snacks, emotional support, logistics support and thrilling fun activities.

They however bemoaned that over 50% of persons living with disabilities are not receiving any support from the government. We promised to channel this concern to the right authorities for redress.

Our outreach in Lyssah was a resounding success as we were able to achieve our goal of uplifting the spirits of persons living with disabilities through the diverse support given.

Our Executive Director Expressed thanks to the CEO of EV’s UNIQUE FASHION for the resource support.

In our quest to restore the diminishing green cover and combat climate change, we embarked on a dynamic endeavor by planting an assortment of seedlings together with the chief of Gbankor in his large acre farm. Through meticulous planning and collaboration, we selected teak, eucalyptus, and cashew seedlings—trees that are known for their resilience and potential to flourish in the region. The choice of these species was guided by their ability to provide various ecological benefits such as carbon sequestration, soil conservation, and economic opportunities for the community.

In times past, we have organized awareness campaigns and educational sessions to shed light on the detrimental consequences of excessive tree cutting for firewood. We highlighted how this practice disrupts the delicate balance of our climate, leading to adverse effects on health and overall well-being.

During those past sessions, we emphasized the importance of sustainable alternatives to firewood, including the promotion of efficient cooking stoves, biogas production, and the cultivation of fast-growing tree species specifically for fuelwood purposes. By empowering the communities with knowledge and feasible solutions, we fostered a collective commitment towards the conservation of our natural resources.

The impact of our joint efforts will be tangible within the community of Gbankor very soon. The planted seedlings will transform previously barren lands into vibrant green spaces, offering shade, shelter, and a haven for biodiversity.

Moreover, the restoration of these forests will aid in mitigating climate change by reducing greenhouse gas emissions and protecting precious water sources.

As we reflect on the remarkable journey undertaken on Green Ghana Day 2023, Necessary Aid Alliance stands proud alongside the Chief and community of Gbankor. Our joint commitment to planting seedlings and raising awareness about the adverse effects of excessive tree cutting for firewood has set a precedent for sustainable development in the region. By understanding that “Our Forest is Our Health,” we have taken crucial steps towards safeguarding our environment, climate, and the well-being of our people.

He pledged to continuously be a beacon of support to our organization and youth activities in general.

During his time as NYA Director for the Upper West Region, Archie was always  superintending over activities that have long term benefits to society such as planting cashews every Green Ghana Day celebration.

We gave him glimpses of impactful projects we have undertaken in the past whose positive effects are being felt across the region and beyond.
We appreciate the Diplomat for his firm interest in our activities and goodwill and his commitment to render his unwavering support to us.

Other youth groups were also present to interact and introduce themselves to the new Northern attache for the British High Commission.

This meeting also gave us an opportunity to discuss the future prospects of our organization to plan where we headed in improving the quality of life of the vulnerable in society

As an organization that is geared towards bridging gender inequality, in an ever-digitizing world, our organization through the Youth Challenge Fund added satellite installation for women especially teenage mothers to benefit from particular project to bridge the wide digital gap and create decent alternative income for economic empowerment. In light of this, sixty-five (65) women made up of NSS persons, teenage mothers, cleaners at the Nadowli assembly and girls benefitted from this digital skill empowerment on how to install satellite, search for updates and new channels, resetting and assembling combo boxes in Nadowli.

Madam Safia Abdulai, the District Coordinating Director for the Nadowli Kaleo District who was present at the start of the training bemoaned the importance of the exercise. She was quoted as saying ‘’I am particularly happy that this project is centralized on women empowerment, especially the satellite installation which is a male dominated field. This district is one of the poorest in the Region and the country at large and so there is need to roll out more of such projects in the District. She thanked Plan International Ghana on behalf of the District Chief Executive. The coordinating director added that, the Assembly will also support in any way possible to ensure we have a successful project execution now and in the future. She particularly said from henceforth, the assembly and its various offices with satellites will rely on the services of these women whenever they have problems with their digital tools or buy new ones. She also promised to recommend their services to other departments.

The training continued early this year with visitations to various Senior High Schools in the Upper West Region. Gwollu Senior High, Kaleo Secondary Technical and Queen of Peace Senior High have thus far benefited from the satellite installation training. Fifteen (15) students from each school, who are always selected based on interest in professional satellite installation, were taken through rigorous training in scanning, resetting, and so on. A further fifteen out-of-school from each community visited also received professional training in satellite installation so that they can start something on their own since they could not complete their education. In effect, 90 people have benefited from our SKILLS DRIVE PROJECT between January and February this year.

All participants were provided with certificates of operations by Plan B Solutions and Necessary Aid Alliance.

Key Outcomes

• Beneficiaries learnt how to fix/setup a new satellite plate & decoder
• Participants were taken through how to scan/search for new channels, delete corrupted channels and delete unwanted channels
• Project beneficiaries were trained on how to reposition plates in the event of the disruptions of storms or strong winds.
• Beneficiaries were oriented on how to register their businesses with the District Assembly

The accompanying effects per our research shows that, families are unable to support young girls and teenage mothers in these areas to purchase sanitary products as a result of this engage in illicit trade of sex for sanitary products. Also, malnutrition dominates especially in the dry season as a result of low income. The situation is dire when a family records low yield.

With funding from Plan Ghana, Necessary Aid Alliance birthed what we call the Skills Drive project which is aimed at providing alternative sources of income to women in rural communities in the Upper West Region all year round. Embedded in this project are training on how to produce liquid soap, shower gel, washing powder.

The increasing demand for detergents means that this is a very lucrative business that the women can venture into regardless of what season. Statistically, over 270 women in Nadowli, Goriyiri, Guree, Serekpere, Kpazie and Takpo have benefited from the liquid soap and other detergents training thus far. Participants were taken through rigorous training on how to independently produce liquid soap, shower gel and washing powder. Women beneficiaries were equally taken through how to procure raw materials at reduced cost, effective marketing and branding of products. All beneficiaries had hands on practical to validate whether they have grasped training exercise.

It can be confirmed from the gleaming smiles, self on hands practice and responses from participants that 98% of them really grasped and obtained the skills necessary to be able to produce and start the liquid soap business. Spouses of participants who subtly participated in trainings expressed commitments to sell some farm wares to provide startup capital for their wives to venture into this business to take advantage of markets and also being able to produce soap for home consumption since prices of these household necessities are skyrocketing each day making them unable to buy them. At the end of each skills training, we donated over 70literes of liquid soap produced to community primary schools around to support in proper hand washing exercise in the face of covid 19 and transmission of other dirt related diseases. All women beneficiaries also had almost a litre of soap to go home and use which will also serve as a motivation to start their own business.

On behalf of the chiefs of beneficiary community, the assembly men and the elders thanked Necessary Aid Alliance and Plan Ghana for providing these economic empowerment skills to their women for absolutely no fee. We equally tasked them to support the women in their little ways to keep the skills into use. Responses were very positive and reassuring.

Key Outcomes

• Beneficiaries learnt how to produce liquid soap, shower gel, powdered soap and bar soap
• Beneficiaries learnt how to brand products
• Beneficiaries learnt effective ways of marketing products
• Beneficiaries were schooled on book keeping and savings

Beneficiaries received orientation on how to procure quality materials

By giving them with deserving role models and mentoring, the organization hopes to influence the way that teenagers, particularly girls in rural areas, think about their futures. Additionally, it gives students a chance to interact directly with the role models.

In order to educate and motivate kids, the famous role model took the time to tell tales of her story. She also spoke at length about the need of avoiding premarital sex, which can result in teenage pregnancies and school dropout. Students learned about the need not to engage in illicit activities such as drugs, bleaching and so on which can have a negative influence on their future. She spoke passionately about the importance of education and how it is the most powerful tool that they can use to change their worlds.

She equally thanked teachers and motivated to remain committed to the educational welfare of students.

The global songstress didn’t leave each school without entertaining students with her insightful and highly thrilling songs. She equally coached some selected students on how to play the guitar.

We are appreciative to her for her total commitment and passion towards rural development and girl child empowerment.

The feedback from community members, teachers, students and other stakeholders indicates the project thus far has been of tremendous benefit to students.

As part of the continuous efforts to promote effective advocacy and engagement on issues on Harmful Cultural Practices, Sexual & Gender-based Violence (SGBV) and Gender Inequality, a National Framework was developed to engage Traditional Authorities and Faith-based Organizations to help address the issues.

In order to finalize the document, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) through the Department of Gender in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA Ghana), held a day’s meeting to solicit for final inputs to validate the draft of the National Framework for engaging Traditional Leaders and faith-based Organizations.

Our Executive Director who has several years of experience in liberating rural communities from such practices, made positive contributions and suggested measures to curb these harmful practices that have always been a bane to Ghana’s development especially in rural communities.

Necessary Aid Alliance over the years has placed so much emphasis on the need to create a society of equal opportunities for all regardless of gender. That is why most of our projects have always been female centered. We believe women have so much to contribute to society and its intricacies and the more they are given the opportunity to unearth their hidden talents, the more forward, society will move.