The MWANANCHI Ghana Project

The MWANANCHI Ghana Project is part of ODI’s five-year action-research initiative implemented across seven African countries. In Ghana, the project aimed to enhance the capacity of civil society, media, and elected representatives to access, interpret, and utilize information and communication resources effectively to shape government policy. By linking voice and accountability, the project empowered citizens to transform institutions toward greater transparency and responsiveness. Key to its strategy was the recognition that media, civil society, elected representatives, and traditional rulers are essential interlocutors in citizen-state relations. The project promoted improved use of evidence in policymaking and focused on representative engagement, policy processes, and accountability, leveraging ICT to create sustainable dialogue platforms.

Civil Society Rights and Voice Initiative (RAVI)

PDA is part of a consortium of four organizations, led by Action Aid International Ghana, managing a five-year programme that aims to enhance citizens’ engagement with the state on social, political, economic, cultural, and civil rights issues. The initiative, known as the Civil Society Rights and Voice Initiative (RAVI), focuses on empowering civil society to engage effectively with governmental processes. PDA’s specific responsibility was the capacity building of grant partner organizations.

GCRN Community Radio Project

The project aimed to double the number of community radio stations across Ghana, thereby empowering marginalized communities by giving them a platform to express their views. PDA partnered with GCRN to establish 10 community radio stations across 10 districts in the Ashanti and Western Regions, with a notable focus on 5 stations in the oil and gas districts in the Western Region.

Vulnerability Assessment and Participatory Scenario Development for Costing Climate Change Adaptation for Ghana

This project involved a baseline study on the social dimensions of climate change in Ghana within the broader context of the Economics of Adaptation. In May 2009, a Field Validation Survey was conducted in 8 selected sites across the 4 agro-ecological zones to capture people’s experiences in coping with climate variability and environmental degradation. Additionally, Participatory Scenario Development (PSD) workshops were held at both national and regional levels, where diverse stakeholders developed realistic adaptation pathways for various livelihood groups and prioritized investments for short-, medium-, and long-term adaptation.

Civil Society Consultative Forum on Natural Resource and Environment Governance (NREG)

PDA co-facilitated both the Civil Society Annual Natural Resource and Environment Parallel Review meeting and the second consultative forum under KASA—the civil society component of the NREG programme. The initiative brought together diverse CSOs to synthesize their perspectives on natural resource and environmental governance and service delivery, providing an alternative review process to complement government-led sector reviews

Demand Driven Extension Service

This initiative aimed to improve the socio-economic well-being of smallholder tree crop farmers in West and Central Africa. The project focused on building capacity through demand-driven extension services in two districts (Adansi South and Sekyere East) in the Ashanti Region, where 279 farmers were trained in Integrated Crop and Pest Management (ICPM) practices using the Farmer Field School (FFS) methodology.

Ghana Consultation Phase for the ODI and Partners Governance and Transparency Fund (GTF) Programme

PDA led the consultation phase for the ODI and Partners Governance and Transparency Fund Programme, aimed at strengthening citizen demand for good governance through evidence-based approaches. This involved conducting individual interviews and coordinating a 2-day multi-stakeholder workshop with government organizations, donors, and civil society representatives to gather diverse insights on governance challenges and solutions.

Northern Region Small Towns Water and Sanitation Project (NORST-Ghana)

The NORST-Ghana project was designed to increase access to potable water and improved sanitation services in up to 30 small towns in Ghana’s Northern Region. By designing, installing, and providing capacity building for water supply systems and sanitation facilities, the project aimed to significantly enhance public health and quality of life. PDA supported the initiative by providing specialized expertise in conflict mitigation and gender-based social inclusion.