Locations
Group photo of participants
Ensuring that development planning reflects the needs of all community members especially women, youth, and marginalized groups is a crucial step toward inclusive and sustainable development. Recognizing this, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in partnership with key stakeholders, is enhancing gender-responsive participatory planning and budgeting across the three Northern Regions of Ghana.
At a recent capacity-building workshop, members of the District Planning and Coordination Unit (DPCU) and leaders of community-based social networks and peer-learning platforms gathered to strengthen their skills in integrating gender considerations into local planning and budgeting processes. This initiative, carried out under the UN Peacebuilding Fund Project, aims to create more transparent, accountable, and inclusive governance structures.
Speaking at the event, Edward Ampratwum, Head of Inclusive Growth and Accountable Governance at UNDP Ghana, emphasized the significance of inclusive governance in ensuring sustainable development:
“Gender-responsive planning and budgeting are not just about fairness they are about effectiveness. Investing in women and youth strengthens economies, enhances social cohesion, and builds resilient communities. By equipping local actors with the necessary skills, we are fostering a more transparent and people-centered development process that leaves no one behind”.
Edward Ampratwum, Head of Inclusive Growth and Accountable Governance, UNDP Ghana, giving his remarks
The training, facilitated in collaboration with CDD-Ghana, WANEP-Ghana, the National Peace Council, NDPC, CAPECS, HOLIDO, and META Foundation, focused on equipping participants with the tools needed to advocate for gender-equitable resource allocation and meaningful participation of women and youth in governance and peacebuilding efforts.
Participants engaged in practical exercises, learning how to analyze budgets through a gender lens and ensure that policies address the unique challenges faced by different groups within their communities. Many found the training insightful and empowering, as it provided them with a clearer understanding of how local governance structures can better serve all citizens.
A participant from the training, Hon. Abdul-Kayum Kobzie, Assemblyman for Fielmuo, - Sissala West shared his perspective:
“For too long, the voices of women and young people have not been fully reflected in our district planning. This training has opened my eyes to how we can advocate for budgets and policies that truly address the needs of our communities. I now feel equipped to engage local authorities and push for meaningful change”.
As the districts prepare their Medium-Term Development Plans (MTDPs), the knowledge gained from this training will play a crucial role in ensuring that gender considerations are effectively integrated. Through continued collaboration and institutional capacity-building, UNDP and its partners are committed to promoting social equity, strengthening local leadership, and fostering sustainable development.
The journey toward inclusive governance is ongoing, but with dedicated efforts and empowered community leaders, the future looks promising for a governance system that truly serves all.
About the UN Peacebuilding Fund Project:
The Secretary-General’s Peacebuilding Fund is the United Nations' leading instrument to invest in prevention and peacebuilding, in partnership with the wider UN system, national and subnational authorities, civil society organizations, regional organizations and multilateral banks. The Fund supports joint UN responses to address critical peacebuilding opportunities, connecting development, humanitarian, human rights and peacebuilding pillars. The core principles of the Fund are being timely, catalytic, and risk-tolerant, and facilitating inclusiveness and national ownership, integrated approaches, and cohesive UN strategies.
