Where advocacy
has worked in FP
in Ghana,
West Africa
Repositioning
Family Planning
in West Africa
Repositionnement
de la Planification
Familiale en
Afrique de l’Ouest
Work of the FP/RH Advocacy Networks in Eastern &
Central Regions
by: Kate Parkes
Participation Coordinator POLICY/Ghana
Sponsored by: U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), World Health Organization (WHO),
Action for West Africa Region Project - Reproductive Health (AWARE-RH), Advance Africa, the POLICY Project
What I will talk about
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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
Positive Environment
• Revised 1994 Population Policy
• ICPD
• Decentralization process
- NPC
- Local Government Reform
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
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
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
Small Beginnings (Cont’d)
LONG-TERM OBJECTIVES OF ADVOCACY ACTIVITIES
1.
Ensure greater representation of population, FP/RH
program in district Development Planning
2.
Increase level of funds allocated for population, FP/RH
activities in pilot districts
3.
Promote community participation
SHORT-TERM OBJECTIVES OF ADVOCACY ACTIVITIES
1.
Assist in the development of regional, district and subdistrict level RH advocacy Networks in pilot areas.
2.
Sensitize local decision-makers about local RH concerns
and needs
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
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
Scope of Networks’ Programme
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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
RH Advocacy Networks Cont’d
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
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
Networks and Priority Policy Issues
• High Teenage Pregnancy
• High Incidence of STI/HIV/AIDS among
young people
Target Audiences
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District Chief Executives
Chiefs and Opinion Leaders
District Assemblies
Religious Leaders
Leaders of Civil Society
Partners – NPC/RPAC, AYA, DPAC,
DHMTs
Activity Sample of Networks
A. Akwapim South
 Organized presentations on the district’s 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 district’s 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
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.
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
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
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 District’s Common Fund for
repositioning FP activities
• New Juaben District Assembly allocated funds for
FP/RH in their HIV/AIDS workplace programmes
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.
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