NRCC Assures SIF of strong collaboration on women and youth empowerment programme
The Northern Regional Coordinating Council (NRCC) has assured the Social Investment Fund (SIF) of its full support and commitment towards the successful implementation of the Ghana Women and Youth Employment and Social Cohesion Programme (GWYESCO) in the Northern Region.
The assurance was given by the Acting Chief Director of the NRCC, Mr. Sumaila Ewuntomah Abudu, when he received the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of SIF, Mr. Puo-ire Prosper, and his delegation on behalf of the Northern Regional Minister.
The delegation included officials from the Social Investment Fund and the Northern Development Authority (NDA).
The visit was aimed at briefing the Northern Regional Minister and the Coordinating Council on the newly introduced GWYESCO Programme ahead of a stakeholder engagement scheduled to take place in Tamale on Monday, September 14, 2026.
Briefing the Acting Chief Director, Mr. Puo-ire Prosper explained that GWYESCO is a four-year Results-Based Financing programme to be implemented between 2026 and 2029.
He said the programme is financed by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and will be implemented by the Social Investment Fund under the Ministry of Finance.
According to him, the programme has been designed to address socio-economic challenges confronting women and young people by creating opportunities that will promote economic empowerment, resilience and self-reliance.
He noted that GWYESCO will focus on key areas including economic inclusion, job creation, entrepreneurship, access to finance, skills development and the promotion of social cohesion.
Mr. Prosper said the programme is expected to improve the living conditions of women and young people by equipping them with relevant skills, resources and opportunities to participate meaningfully in economic activities.
He stressed that the success of the initiative would largely depend on strong collaboration among stakeholders at the national, regional, district and community levels.
The Deputy CEO therefore called for the active support and participation of the NRCC, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies, traditional authorities, civil society organisations, development partners and other relevant stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of the programme.
He explained that the upcoming stakeholder engagement would provide an opportunity for key actors to better understand the objectives, implementation arrangements and expected outcomes of GWYESCO, while identifying areas where collaboration could be strengthened.
Responding, Mr. Sumaila Ewuntomah Abudu welcomed the delegation and expressed appreciation to the Social Investment Fund and its partners for introducing an initiative aimed at improving the socio-economic wellbeing of women and young people.
Speaking on behalf of the Northern Regional Minister, he said the programme had come at a crucial time when there was a growing need to expand opportunities for women and young people to acquire skills, establish businesses, access financial support and contribute meaningfully to the development of their communities.
Mr. Abudu assured the delegation of the NRCC's readiness to work closely with SIF and other implementing partners to ensure effective coordination, stakeholder participation and the achievement of the programme's objectives.
He further urged stakeholders to take ownership of the initiative and ensure that the resources and opportunities provided under the programme translate into tangible benefits for the intended beneficiaries.
The Acting Chief Director emphasised the importance of productivity, accountability and effective coordination throughout the implementation process, noting that the true measure of the programme's success would be its impact on women, young people and vulnerable communities.
He said empowering women and youth through employment, entrepreneurship, skills development and improved access to finance would not only enhance household livelihoods but also contribute to poverty reduction, social stability and sustainable economic development.
Mr. Abudu expressed optimism that with strong collaboration among all stakeholders, the GWYESCO Programme would achieve its objectives and make a meaningful contribution to improving livelihoods across the Northern Region.
The stakeholder engagement scheduled for September 14, 2026, is expected to bring together key stakeholders to discuss the programme and explore strategies for its effective implementation in the region.
Source: Northwebonline.com
