AGENDA 55 Initiative: MMDAs Urged to Demonstrate Commitment to Ending Sexual and Gender-Based Violence
Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) across Northern Ghana have been urged to demonstrate stronger commitment to eliminating sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) by prioritizing planning, budgeting, coordination and reporting on prevention and child protection interventions.
The call was made during the annual review meeting of the Agenda 55 Initiative held in Tamale, where Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Coordinating Directors, representatives of the National Development Planning Commission, the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, and the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection assessed progress made under the initiative.
Agenda 55 is a district accountability framework involving 55 Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies established in 2022 under the Strategic Partnership II Project, supported by Oxfam in Ghana and Norsaac.
The initiative seeks to strengthen local governance systems in addressing sexual and gender-based violence and child protection issues.
The framework aims to improve institutional coordination, create safer communities, provide better support for survivors, and strengthen preventive measures against SGBV.
It also seeks to tackle persistent challenges such as child marriage, teenage pregnancy and child abuse, which continue to threaten the safety and future of women and children in many districts across Northern Ghana.
To monitor progress, nine performance indicators have been developed to enable all participating MMDAs to track, record, integrate and adapt SGBV interventions within their annual development plans.
Speaking at the review meeting, Norsaac’s Programmes and Policy Advisor, Mathilda Ayamga, reminded participants of the critical role district assemblies and partner institutions play in ensuring that gender-based violence receives sustained attention at the local level.
She explained that the objectives of Agenda 55 include generating evidence on SGBV, strengthening accountability mechanisms, promoting peer learning among MMDAs and improving coordination of interventions across Northern Ghana.
According to her, the initiative is helping to build stronger local systems capable of responding effectively to violence against women, girls and children.
The Programme Officer at Norsaac, Salimatu Abdulai, took participants through the implementation of the Strengthening Advocacy, Inclusion and Democracy (SAID) Project, indicating how Agenda 55 complements efforts to promote inclusive governance and safeguard the rights of vulnerable groups.
Social Welfare and Community Development officers from the Bole and Gushegu districts commended the collaborative efforts by government institutions and civil society organizations to combat sexual and gender-based violence.
However, they expressed concern over the persistent reluctance of community members to report abuse cases.
The Gushegu Municipal Social Welfare Officer, Mr Iddrisu Ibrahim, stressed that protecting children and preventing violence against women and girls require collective action from all stakeholders.
He noted that silence and underreporting continue to undermine efforts to achieve justice for survivors and called on communities to speak up against abuse.
The Head of the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development in the Bole District, Alhaji Yakubu Abdul Rahaman, said the annual review had renewed the commitment of district-level stakeholders to intensify efforts in addressing SGBV.
He also expressed concern about the low reporting of abuse cases, urging community members to cooperate with authorities to ensure perpetrators are brought to justice, and survivors receive the support they need.
