Roots of Change Project
Sinapi Aba, as an implementing partner of the Roots of Change programmes has successfully brought to a closure, a project titled “Increasing the Economic Empowerment of Women through Rural Financing”.
The project launched in Kumasi on 1st October 2018, aimed at empowering rural women to increase their participation in social and economic development in Ghana, improve their productivity, build assets and increase household incomes. This project saw several activities that took place within three years across the five Northern regions and the Bono East region of Ghana. Many vulnerable and marginalized rural women farmers have their lives transformed by this project, providing financial inclusion through innovative technology and strategies. It has succeeded in breaking socio-cultural barriers and norms to reduce equality gaps between women and men by rightly aligning their thoughts on the roles and opportunities that are ascribed to them.
To celebrate and commemorate the successes and achievements of this project, a wrap-up conference has been held at the Upper West Regional Library on the 23rd September 2021 bringing together women beneficiaries of the project, staff, and other key stakeholders from across the project areas. The special Guest of honor, Hon. Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih, the Upper West Regional Minister, and other dignitaries including Lydia Baffour Awuah, Opportunity International’s Root of Change Project Lead, Ms. Amina Alhassan Bin Salih, a Gender Consultant and a representative from the Upper West Directorate of Ministry of Agriculture graced the occasion.
Hon. Dr. Hafiz Bin Salih, commended Sinapi Aba and Opportunity International UK for investing in women farmers and economically empowering them to contribute to national growth as well as supporting the course to achieve the sustainable development goals. In his speech on the theme of the conference, ‘Rural Women Empowerment and Inclusion, a Sure Way to Development’, he said, “The best way to empower women is to teach them to fish and not to give them fish” and this is what Sinapi Aba has been able to achieve through its rural outreach programmes.
In her remarks, Mrs. Joyce Owusu-Dabo, the Chief Programme Officer of Sinapi Aba assured the women of continual support even as the project comes to a close. She again expressed confidence in the ability of the disabled participants, “we believe that when someone is disabled, you have that ability to do things for themselves. We look forward to seeing beneficiaries living with disabilities being independent, resilient, and contributing to development considering the capacity-building training and financial support provided by you by Sinapi Aba.
Mrs. Lydia Baffour Awuah, (OI-UK) said: “l believe the Roots of Change project has been a smart investment; building up the capacity of marginalized and financially excluded rural women, through various training including financial literacy to be more financially literate, providing them with innovative financial solutions whilst working together with community leaders, spouses, and other male family members to break down socio-cultural norms that discriminate harshly against women to enable them to build sustainable livelihood and to help create more employment for others in the community”. She also noted that integrating gender transformational approaches into development programmes is an essential pillar for women’s empowerment and advancement.
General feedback from beneficiaries who participated in the conference was that the various training organized for them has been very useful in every aspect of their lives and they acknowledged that, the Roots of Change project has served as a catalyst and is the major factor helping them increase their productivity and improve on their livelihood.
A Clients Story
“My encounter with Sinapi Aba and root of change project has made my farming business profitable. Since applying their teaching on my farm, have increased my productivity from 2 acres farming to 4 acres farming translating into higher profitability and my reputation in society respected as they value my suggestions in terms of decision making”. – Gladys
Sinapi Aba through Opportunity International Root of Change project financed by UK Government, DFID has worked with the rural women, breaking down gender and socio-cultural barriers whilst bringing vital financial services and training right at their doorsteps, transforming their lives and creating more wealth for them.
