The Director General of Partnerships for Health and Social Development at Global Affairs Canada, Mylène Paradis, embarked on a purposeful working visit to Norsaac, a pivotal partner collaborating with five other local organizations on the transformative Power to Choose Project (P2C). This project, generously funded by Global Affairs Canada, through Oxfam in Ghana, spans a strategic seven-year period and is meticulously designed to advance crucial agendas within the realm of Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
Norsaac’s collaboration with local stakeholders under the umbrella of the P2C project aims to amplify the realization of health-related human rights, particularly targeting the most marginalized and vulnerable populations, including women, adolescent girls, and children residing in the Savelugu and Sagnarigu municipalities of Northern Ghana. The visit by Mylène was multifaceted, encompassing an assessment of project progress, deliberation on achieved outcomes, and a collective exploration of encountered challenges, with a keen eye toward identifying and implementing strategic solutions.
During her engaging interactions, the project team from Norsaac and Oxfam in Ghana fostered constructive dialogues and conducted insightful field visits to one of the project communities. The visit provided invaluable opportunities for direct engagement with local stakeholders, including meaningful interactions with young people in designated safe spaces. These safe spaces serve as dynamic platforms for fostering open discussions and knowledge sharing on pertinent SRHR issues affecting the youth. Additionally, the interactions and assessments aimed to measure the extent to which the project has met its objectives and identify areas for further improvement, ensuring that the initiatives align with the targeted outcomes and effectively address the SRHR needs of the community.
Beneficiaries, specifically the young people, mentioned how the safe spaces have built their confidence, and capacity. They also added that the initiative has empowered them to make informed choices about their SRHR. They stated their parents’ strong support, including reminders to attend safe space meetings. They also mentioned that their parents now take on some of the household chores to allow them time to participate in the meetings.
The warm reception from the chief and elders of the Sanga Community underscored the profound impact and the relationship of the P2C project within the local context. Their enthusiastic endorsement and unwavering commitment further affirmed the project’s significance in driving positive change within their community. The chief eloquently highlighted the tangible transformation brought about by the project, citing increased dialogue and improved understanding between youth and their parents regarding SRHR matters as a testament to its success.
Mylène, deeply impressed by the dedication and passion exhibited by all stakeholders, expressed her sincere satisfaction and unwavering support for the project’s endeavors. She commended the collective efforts of Norsaac and Oxfam in Ghana and offered words of encouragement, urging continued perseverance in driving meaningful change through the impactful P2C project.
This visit served as a crucial opportunity to strengthen the bond between Norsaac, the implementing communities, and partners, further solidifying their relationship. Moreover, it enhanced the credibility of Norsaac by demonstrating its dedication to ensuring that projects are adequately implemented and that they effectively meet the needs of the communities they serve.