PISCCA Program Launch Ceremony 2019

The launching ceremony of the FSPI PISCCA programme dubbed «Strengthening of Civil Societies in Ghana”, was held at the Alliance Française in Accra on the 1^st of July 2019. The programme aims at structuring and strengthening the capacities of Ghanaian civil society organizations.

Chaired by the Ambassador of France, Madam Anne Sophie AVÉ, the event brought together the 14 winning Ghanaian associations. These organizations were chosen by a selection committee composed of the French Embassy in Ghana, AFD, France Volontaires and the Delegation of European Union in Ghana, among 147 organizations that submitted their projects for review. The “call for proposals” focused on 3 thematic areas which are at the heart of development challenges faced in Ghana but also France's priorities:

Climate Change/Environment
Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights
Sports as a tool for inclusion

The Ambassador signed the Grant Agreements for the 6 projects that will be implemented for 2019; the 8 others will be financed in 2020.

Climate Change/Environment

- A Rocha Ghana: “Community Collective Action for Food Security, Climate Mitigation and Conservation of the Newly Designated Lake Bosomtwe Biosphere Reserve"

Agricultural conservation project (Plantations of several fruit tree species) on the shores of Lake Bosomtwe and training of farmers in sustainable agriculture, protection of aquatic reserves and climate change.

- Association Voûte Nubienne: “Emergence, strengthening and support of the sustainable housing market in Upper East Region, Ghana”

Adapted housing project in northern Ghana through the training of masons in Nubian arch construction techniques using local, sustainable materials, adapted to local economies and responding to climatic and environmental issues (better thermal performance, better resistance, reduction in the use of materials with a high carbon, etc.)

Reproductive and sexual health and rights

- Savana Signatures: « Girls Empowerment Project »

Project for the empowerment of girls enrolled in vocational training centres on the issue of sexual and gender-based violence by creating awareness on sexual and reproductive health rights, improving access to the law, social and health services as well as specialized call centres, creating safe places in the centres and mentoring in the Northern region.

- Net Organisation for Youth Empowerment and development, “Fistula free northern Ghana campaign”

Project aiming to reduce and treat fistula cases in 10 northern rural communities through awareness, prevention and taking charge of surgical procedures of affected persons.

Sport as a Tool for Inclusion

- DUNK Grassroots: “Beyond the goalpost project”

A project with the aim of empowering 80 girls from disadvantaged neighbourhoods in Accra through access to sports, education and training 20 physical education teachers in new ways of teaching sports in public schools in two neighbourhoods in Accra: creating a safe space for the practise of sports, creating awareness of gender related issues and women's rights, providing educational support.

- Care and Action for Mental Health in Africa: “Promotion of mental health and wellness through Sports”

Project of inclusion, promoting sports to people with mental illnesses: improvement of the well-being of patients, sensitization and training of psychiatric health professionals (3 hospitals, Mental Health Authority, etc.) on the importance of physical activity in the process of treatment of pathologies, organization of sports competitions, provision of equipment.

Capacity Building
At the end of the ceremony, the 6 associations participated in an orientation meeting and a training needs assessment session conducted by the West Africa Civil Society Institute (WACSI), a partner of the French Embassy.

The staff of the organisations will benefit from training to strengthen their capacities in different areas: governance, monitoring, evaluation, advocacy, reporting, etc. This training aims to support the professionalization of these organizations, so that they are better able to play their role, alongside the state, as well as support and monitor of public policies.