Ghana: Inclusive Climate Action and Socio-Economic Empowerment

Project Overview

Ghana's urbanisation faces rapid population growth, inadequate infrastructure, and increasing economic inequality. Climate change impacts, such as flooding and air pollution in Accra, further exacerbate the situation. Operating within communities across Ghana, including the regions of Greater Accra, Western, Northern, and the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA), this project aims to improve urban resilience and sustainable development. 

The project seeks to empower marginalised segments, particularly women and youth, by providing them with essential skills and resources for sustainable livelihoods. By leveraging existing Planning and Action Frameworks at the city level and collaborating with local authorities, the initiative strengthens the institutional capacity of the Ghana SDI Alliance (People’s Dialogue on Human Settlements and Ghana Federation of the Urban Poor) to continue community-led urban interventions. 

This project is part of the Building Resilience in Informal Settlements Programme, a partnership between CitiesAlliance and Slum Dwellers International (SDI), funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (Sida), to support civil society organisations working in informal settlements.

Project Results: 2022-2024

The project has facilitated over twenty local-to-local learning exchanges among federation savings groups across the Accra Metropolis. These exchanges have not only increased federation knowledge and practices but also ensured leadership accountability to members.

A comprehensive training program was conducted for street sweepers in Accra to promote a safer and cleaner environment, increase safety awareness among them, and enhance rapport with residents. Two sets of training sessions under solid waste management were organized: one on waste source sorting and separation at the household level, and another for waste collectors, particularly motor tricycle operators.

Through KYC TV, groups have gained advocacy and communication skills, focusing on public health, solid waste management, Covid-19, and evictions, resulting in improved living conditions and resilience. Education on air pollution's negative impact was conducted in Amui Dzor, Shukura, and Agbogbloshie, leading to increased awareness, behaviour change, and advocacy for policy change.

Enhanced Economic Livelihoods Increasing Sustainability in Ghana

The project demonstrated the importance of empowering vulnerable communities, particularly slum dwellers affected by demolitions in Greater Accra. Through community-led initiatives focused on savings, livelihood training and waste management, small food stalls could be transformed into successful businesses. With new skills in financial literacy and business management, residents increased their income, improved their families' nutrition and secured access to health and education for their children. 

The success has inspired others in the community to adopt similar sustainable practices, such as waste separation and zero-waste initiatives, contributing to a cleaner, more resilient environment. 

The federation played a critical role by mobilising residents, providing capacity-building training and advocating for policies that support affordable housing and sustainable urban development. This achievement underscores the project's ability to break cycles of poverty, promote sustainability and enhance economic resilience, offering hope and empowerment to slum communities in the face of climate challenges. 

Key Achievements: 2022-2024

• 97 savings groups and 2,856 savers supported
• 120 youth members mobilised and supported
• 10 households with improved water and sanitation 
• 95 people supported through networking and training to address climate change or to conserve biodiversity 
• 60 people supported to better adapt to the effects of climate change
• 3 settlements profiled 
• 9 settlement level information forums or campaigns 
• 6 city or national level advocacy campaigns conducted
• 11 content creating initiatives involving youth 
• 4 regional or national level federation leadership meetings were held 
• 52 peer-to-peer learning exchanges with 260 individuals