Note: This document may not always reflect the actual appropriations determined by Congress. Final budget allocations for USAID's programs are not determined until after passage of an appropriations bill and preparation of the Operating Year Budget (OYB).
GHANA
FY 1998 Development Fund for Africa . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $38,400,000 FY 1998 P.L. 480 Title II . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $12,672,000 Introduction
Ghana is a leader in Africa in promoting economic reforms and establishing political stability. It is also a key ally of the United States in promoting peace in the sub-region and, after South Africa, is one of the most important trading partners for the United States in Sub-Saharan Africa. With successful multi-party elections completed in December 1996, Ghana is now in the forefront of African countries that have made positive steps toward consolidating democracy. The historic elections -- the first held under a democratically elected government -- were recognized by the international community as being free, fair and transparent and expressing the will of Ghana's 18 million citizens. An ambitious economic transformation over the past 12 years has led to improved budget balances, realistic exchange rates and increased competition. A more favorable economic climate has spurred both local and foreign private sector investment. The U.S.-owned Valco (Kaiser) Aluminum Company helps maintain the importance of the United States among Ghana's principal trading partners. Recent investments in Ghana by AT&T, Hunt Oil, Chevron, StarKist, Coca Cola, Luster Products, Mobil, America-On-Line (Africa) and Teberebie (gold mining) are examples of growing American investor confidence in Ghana. Many of Ghana's raw materials and capital goods come from the United States. President Rawlings of Ghana, his top advisors and leading Ghanaian business leaders have recently completed investment missions to the U.S. to encourage greater economic ties between the two countries. U.S. exports to Ghana have increased from $53 million in 1985 to $167 million in 1995, and U.S. imports from Ghana have risen from $90 million to $196 million during the same period.In addition to strengthening its economic ties with the U.S., Ghana has strongly supported U.S. policy initiatives to restore peace in the West Africa region and has used its diplomatic leverage and leadership of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to mediate the longstanding and regionally destabilizing conflict in Liberia. Ghana has also provided an estimated 1,000 soldiers as peace keepers in Liberia and mediated conflicts in Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Niger and Nigeria. While the U.S. and other donors have encouraged and financially contributed to these efforts, a large portion of the expenses have come from the Government of Ghana's (GOG) own resources. Continued democratic progress and economic growth in Ghana will encourage other African states to adopt and adhere to the long, and often difficult, path of reform. The United States has a strong commitment to encouraging these positive efforts and supporting the development of African leadership in promoting economic growth and political reform.
The Development Challenge
Since the start of a far-reaching Economic Recovery Program in 1983, the Government has liberalized markets, prices, foreign exchange and international trade, and has reduced the state's role in the economy in favor of the private sector. This has resulted in annual economic growth rates of over 5% per year, or 2% per capita, between 1983 and 1991. Furthermore, the incidence of poverty declined from 37% of the population in 1988 to 32% in 1992. Yet Ghana's per capita income is only $410 and recent setbacks in macroeconomic management have slowed growth to an estimated 4.5% between 1992 and 1996 and led to high, double-digit inflation and tight credit. The GOG has now indicated its commitment to reducing deficit spending, further stabilization of the economy and pursuing an annual growth rate higher than the 5% achieved in the 1980's. External debt is $5 billion, 90% of GDP. Debt service equals 27% of exports, and given healthy foreign exchange reserves and minimal arrearages, this debt is manageable.The 1995 United Nation's Human Development Index -- which measures life expectancy, adult literacy, and per capita income -- ranks Ghana 129th out of 174 countries. In a country of 18 million people, adult literacy rates are 60% for men and 40% for women. Primary school enrollment stands at 84% for boys and 69% for girls. Ghana's development is constrained by rapid population growth (3%), inadequate health care, low educational status of its citizens, and institutions which are struggling to be effective in a swiftly changing society. Major health problems include poor nutrition, malaria, infectious diseases and water-borne diseases. Among children under three, 26% are stunted and 11% show signs of wasting. The current average life expectancy is 56 years. The under-five mortality rate is 119 per 1000; however there is significant urban-rural difference with the under-five mortality in rural areas at 149 deaths per 1,000 live births. The maternal mortality rate is 200-300 per 100,000 live births.
The GOG's long-range planning document, Ghana Vision 2020, presents a wide reaching strategy for raising the country to middle-income status by early in the next century. At today's levels, the lower end of the middle-income countries would require a per capita income of at least $725. To speed up the achievement of middle-income status, Ghana must improve its economic performance to roughly 8% annually. To accomplish this, greater efforts must be placed on increasing incomes and employment and improving the health and educational status of Ghanaians. Ghanaians must also have a greater stake in the economic and political development of their country which will ensure that the benefits of growth are sustainable in the long run.
Ghana's economy remains highly dependent on the export of a few traditional primary commodities, especially cocoa and gold, and GOG budgetary resources are insufficient to provide the level of social services and infrastructure needed to support rapid development of the country. To accelerate economic growth, Ghana is expanding its export base from traditional commodities into more diversified non-traditional exports (NTEs), such as horticultural crops, wood products, and fish and seafood. In primary education, the government initiated reforms in 1987 to strengthen and decentralize the education system, but the results have not translated into higher literacy rates. Progress has been made in improving the health status of women by lowering fertility rates in Ghana, which dropped from 6.4 children per woman in 1988 to 5.5 in 1993, and improving the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases that can increase exposure to HIV/AIDS.
The successful general elections have further strengthened Ghana's efforts to consolidate democracy and increase participatory development. Non-governmental organizations, including public policy and research institutions, are numerous and are actively involved in raising awareness and encouraging public debate on all aspects of economic, political and social issues that affect Ghanaian society. The private media, particularly the print media and radio, have expanded significantly over the past few years offering alternative perspectives, including criticism of the government, on a wide range of policy issues.
Other Donors
Assistance to Ghana, in the form of grants and concessional loans from over 20 multilateral and bilateral donors, totals approximately $700 million a year, with the U.S. contributing about 7% of that amount. Donor assistance focuses on structural adjustment, economic growth and poverty alleviation, with USAID playing a lead role in providing support to the private sector, primary education, family planning and AIDS prevention, and democracy and governance. Other principal donors are the World Bank, Japan, Britain, Canada, Germany, the European Union, Denmark, France, the African Development Bank, United Nations Development Program and the United Nations Children's Fund.FY 1998 Program
USAID's strategy supports Ghana in achieving its goal of middle-income status within 25 years by promoting broad-based sustainable economic growth. This is being achieved by: (1) increasing revenues from selected goods and services in trade and agriculture; (2) increasing the effectiveness of the primary education system; (3) improving family health; and (4) enhancing participatory development and governance. Improving economic viability through sustainable development will move Ghana toward graduation from donor assistance over time and further the U.S. policy goals of economic growth and political democratization in Africa. USAID's resource request will help leverage additional support from other donors as the Agency is the lead bilateral donor in all of the strategic objectives in which it is involved. Fifty-five percent of the FY 1998 request focuses on fostering greater economic growth by improving policies and strengthening the productive capacity of Ghanaians to invest in their future. The remaining resources are used to further objectives in reducing population growth in the long run, preventing the spread of sexually transmitted disease, increasing child survival, and promoting greater citizen participation in Ghana's development and protecting the environment.Agency Goal: Encouraging Broad-based Economic Growth
Accelerating broad-based, sustainable economic growth is the primary objective of USAID's assistance to Ghana. Total investment averaged 15% of GDP in the 1990s, with private investment accounting for approximately 6%. Since 1992, USAID has been one of the major donors--and the largest bilateral donor--encouraging policy reform to promote private sector investment in Ghana. USAID's efforts have focused on increasing non-traditional exports (NTEs) in recognition that, for Ghana to sustain economic growth, it must expand and diversify its export base beyond the traditional exports of gold, cocoa, timber and electricity. These efforts have paid off as Ghana has witnessed unprecedented growth in non-traditional exports climbing from $68 million in 1992 to $180 million in 1995. This achievement required major policy reforms by the GOG to stimulate investment. Streamlining export regulations and procedures, introducing new incentives that encourage exports, such as bonded warehouses and duty relief for the import of goods used in producing exports, and constructing new infrastructure at the airport and harbor to handle export products are a few of the policy initiatives implemented. USAID has also provided extensive U.S. technical assistance to small and medium sized companies involved in exports. Most notable has been the major contribution of U.S. Private Voluntary Organizations (USPVOs), such as TechnoServe and Aid to Artisans, which have paired with Ghanaian entrepreneurs to improve managerial, technical and operational skills and increase the competitiveness of Ghanaian products. U.S. retailers such as JC Penney, Pier I and American Marketing Company have placed orders with Ghanaian companies for handicrafts, home accessories and African garments. Major museums such as the Smithsonian and the Museum of the African American in Michigan have recognized the quality of Ghanaian products and placed orders for their catalogues.In agriculture, Ghana has made impressive progress in producing growing quantities and improved quality of agro-based products (i.e. pineapples, mangos, cashews). The agriculture sector accounts for 40% of economic output and 70% of employment. A principal constraint to more rapid economic growth is low private sector investment in agriculture and also in manufacturing. Accelerated growth in agriculture, both in domestic and export markets, is essential to increase and sustain broad-based growth of the entire economy.
Major obstacles to continued growth in NTEs include high inflation, tight credit, regulatory restrictions, high wastage and spoilage, excessive marketing margins, low use of inputs such as fertilizers, limited access to financing, and lack of knowledge of domestic and export market opportunities. In FY 1998 USAID will continue to maintain a strong leadership role in encouraging macroeconomic stabilization and reform of second tier policies that restrict or impede trade and investment in specific sectors, such as horticultural and wood products and financial services. Furthermore, USAID will continue to finance technical assistance and training to improve production capacity, support greater access to and development of foreign and domestic markets, and enhance infrastructure related to exports. Technical assistance and training will be provided by U.S. contractors and U.S. private voluntary organizations working closely with small and micro-entrepreneurs to improve their capacity to produce export-quality products, and bolster revenues from tourism-related activities in the Central Region. The effort will focus on increasing trade and investment which will result in Ghana reaching a higher level of income generation and employment.
To strengthen the productive and entrepreneurial capacity of Ghanaians, USAID has provided significant support for primary education since 1990. Since a majority of Ghanaians have access only to primary school education, it is critical at this level to provide basic literacy and numeracy skills for Ghanaians to become more productive participants in a growing economy. This was not happening despite assistance from USAID and other donors to reform education policies affecting teacher training, budgetary allocations for primary education, educational materials and textbooks, student testing and evaluation, and equity improvement. In FY 1996 USAID developed a new primary education program in collaboration with the GOG to support policy reforms that tackle more systemic issues with primary education such as education personnel management, the curriculum, information management and analysis and decentralization. USAID will support the establishment of 330 model schools to demonstrate the key elements necessary for quality primary education for replication nationwide. In FY 1998, USAID-funded technical assistance will continue the process of selecting additional communities and districts to establish the model schools and initiating reforms in the educational system.
Strategic Objective 1: Increased Revenues from Selected Goods and Services
Strategic Objective 2: Increased Effectiveness of the Primary Education System Agency Goal: Stabilizing World Population Growth and Protecting Human Health
Of the total funding requested for population and health, $6,500,000 is planned for population activities and $7,600,000 is planned for health activities. USAID has focused its interventions in the health sector on reducing the high fertility rate which significantly contributes to infant and maternal mortality, slowing the spread of sexually transmitted disease (STD) such as HIV/AIDS, and improving child survival. Reducing fertility (the average number of children born to a woman) and lowering population growth is critical for achieving sustainable economic development. If this rapid growth does not slow, the population will place unrelenting pressure on Ghana's food supply, energy resources, environment, education system, labor market and health services. HIV/AIDS is a serious health problem in Ghana but has not yet reached the levels of neighboring countries. To slow the rise in prevalence, there must be a greater focus on encouraging Ghanaians to decrease their risk of contracting HIV/AIDS and other STDs.The use of modern methods of contraception has increased significantly. The most recent tracking survey (1996) indicates that the proportion of women of reproductive age currently using a modern method of family planning may have risen by 8% since 1993. Much of the program's success can be attributed to the dual strategies of increased collaboration with the private/NGO sector and greater emphasis on longer term, more effective methods. FY 1998 funding will continue to focus on the hard-to-reach target groups: adolescents, males and rural inhabitants.
USAID continues to support activities related to the prevention of HIV/AIDS. Prevention and control of other sexually transmitted diseases can significantly reduce the risk of acquiring HIV/AIDS. Funding in FY 1998 will be used to emphasize behavior change, as this relates to individual vulnerability. This is especially important among adolescents who do not acknowledge the risks they face. Funding will be used to continue development of information, education and communications campaigns, training of laboratory personnel, support of the sentinel surveillance system for tracking the epidemic, improving the diagnosis and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases through training for medical personnel and greater access to more effective drugs, and integrating STD services with successful family planning services.
USAID recognizes that proven techniques such as immunization against childhood diseases, effective management of diarrhea through use of oral rehydration salts, exclusive breastfeeding, improved weaning practices and health education can have a dramatic impact on child health at relatively low cost. In FY 1998, to capitalize on the natural complementarity with family planning programs, USAID will increase its promotion of social marketing of rehydration products, expand immunization programs and support other selective child survival interventions through the Ministry of Health and U.S. and indigenous private voluntary organizations.
Strategic Objective 3: Improved Family Health Agency Goal: Building Democracy
Ghana has just successfully completed multi-party elections which usher in the first representative parliament since 1980. Consolidating these gains is critical to the future economic and political success of the country. USAID substantially supported Ghana's efforts to hold democratic elections. The opposition's 1992 boycott of the election was based on the perception that there was widespread fraud and that the voter registry was bloated and out-of-date. Over the past three years USAID has supported, through a grant to the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), activities to strengthen the capacity of the Electoral Commission to register voters and conduct elections, train 80,000 electoral officials and 120,000 political party agents to effectively participate in the registration of 9.2 million Ghanaians and the national general elections, and provide electoral commodity support.Endorsed publicly by all eight registered political parties, the register has been commended for its thoroughness and the transparent fashion in which it was compiled. USAID provided additional assistance to Ghana just prior to the elections to support the efforts of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to serve as election observers. Over 5,000 Ghanaians representing 70 NGOs participated as election observers throughout the country. The National Democratic Institute conducted extensive training of the local observers and fielded an additional 30 international observers to monitor the elections nationwide. In FY 1997 USAID's strategic objective of promoting participatory development and governance will help fortify Ghana's democratic progress and build upon the potential of Ghana's civil society to promote better governance within the country. This assistance will focus on strengthening civil society and enhancing transparent governance. In FY 1998 USAID's funding will be used to strengthen the multi-party parliament and increase the participation of citizens in the development of national policies. This will be accomplished though U.S. private voluntary organizations working directly with Ghanaian NGOs.
Strategic Objective 4: Increasing Participatory Development and Governance Agency Goal: Protecting the Environment
Ghana is a medium-sized country of 92,100 square miles, about the size of the State of Oregon. Ecologically, it is composed of two zones; the southwest third of the country is covered by tropical forest, while savanna extends over the rest. More than one-third of Ghana's surface area is cultivated. Cocoa, the major export crop, is grown primarily in the tropical forest area. Ghana's forest resources, however, are being rapidly depleted. Only about 2 million hectares, including 1.7 million hectares in forest reserves, remain of the country's original 8.2 million hectares of forest, and that is being lost at the rate of about 22,000 hectares a year to bush fires, logging, the extraction of firewood and the clearing of land to feed an ever increasing population. More than 60 species of trees are exploited for timber exports, which were valued at $165 million in 1994.Since 1992 USAID has supported the preservation and protection of the 360 sq. km. area known as Kakum National Park/Assin Attandanso Game Reserve, one of the few vestiges of tropical forest remaining in this part of Africa with much of its original flora and fauna intact. Technical assistance and training provided by the Mid-West Universities Consortium for International Activities (MUCIA) incollaboration with Conservation International has led to effective management and control of poaching and logging activities in the park, the construction of a tree-top canopy walkway which has contributed to significant increases (by 300% since 1994) in tourist visitation. This project is seen as a model for integrated conservation and economic growth activities in Africa and other regions.
Strategic Objective 1: Increased Revenues from Selected Goods and Services
Agency Goal: Providing Humanitarian Assistance
The P.L. 480 Title II Food Aid Program supports USAID's efforts to enhance the capacity of Ghanaians to feed themselves and improve the quality of their lives. The Title II program is an integral component of USAID's economic growth strategic objective and provides further assistance in raising revenues and incomes in rural areas. Specifically, food aid resources are used to help increase agricultural production, marketing and storage, reduce soil erosion through planting of tree crops, and improve basic health services and sanitation such as expanding access to potable water. Many of the agricultural products assisted are also exported such as yams, cassava, shea nut and cashews. Increased productivity and marketing of these products has contributed to more than doubling of rural incomes in areas served by the Title II program, thereby enhancing food security in vulnerable groups. The Title II program is implemented by three U.S. private voluntary organizations that work closely with farmers' associations, women's groups and community organizations. In FY 1998, food resources will be used to improve production, post-harvest processing, storage and marketing capabilities.
Strategic Objective 1: Increased Revenues from Selected Goods and Services
GHANA
FY 1998 PROGRAM SUMMARY
Encouraging Broad-based Economic Growth
Stabilizing Population Growth and Protecting Human Health Protecting the
Environment
Building Democracy
Providing Humanitarian Assistance
TOTALS
USAID Strategic Objectives SO 1. Increased Revenues of Selected Goods and Services - Dev. Fund for Africa
- PL 480 Title II
12,000,000
---
---
---
2,000,000
---
---
---
---
12,672,000
14,000,000
12,672,000
SO 2. Increased Effectiveness of Primary School System
- Dev. Fund for Africa
8,800,000
---
---
---
---
8,800,000
SO 3. Improved Family Health
- Dev. Fund for Africa
---
14,100,000
---
---
---
14,100,000
SO 4. Enhanced Participatory Development and Governance
- Dev. Fund for Africa
---
---
---
1,500,000
---
1,500,000
Totals: - Dev. Fund for Africa
- PL 480 Title II
20,800,000
---
14,100,000
---
2,000,000
---
1,500,000
---
---
12,672,000
38,400,000
12,672,000
USAID Ghana Mission Director: Myron Golden
ACTIVITY DATA SHEET
PROGRAM: GHANA
TITLE AND NUMBER: Trade and Investment Reform Program, 641-S001
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1998:$14,000,000 DFA, $12,672,000 PL 480
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1997; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2002
Purpose: To increase revenues from selected goods and services.
Background: Ghana has maintained annual average economic growth rates of 5 percent over the past 12 years. To reach the next level of economic growth, and appreciably raise living standards, Ghana must increase private sector investment, trade and domestic income generation.
USAID Role and Achievement to Date: With USAID assistance, Ghana has expanded and diversified its export base beyond the traditional exports. The value of non-traditional exports (NTEs) has nearly tripled since 1992 from $68 million to an estimated $180 million in 1995. Increases in NTEs has directly resulted in the creation of nearly 27,000 new jobs, a significant accomplishment in an economy which has been experiencing rising unemployment and rampant underemployment.
Description: The Trade and Investment Reform Program is a five-year activity to enhance Ghana's potential to earn needed foreign exchange and compete on the international market. The Program will support policy reforms, technical assistance and training to improve the investment environment and technical capacity of Ghanaian enterprises. First, the policy reforms will focus on eliminating and revising regulations that adversely impact on Ghana's international competitiveness in sectors that have the potential to contribute to exports such as horticultural and wood products, telecommunications and financial services. Second, technical assistance and training will help firms working throughout the export production and marketing chain to improve their managerial and operational skills as well as their ability to identify and penetrate viable markets. The latter is particularly important in benefitting smaller producers, thousands of smallholders and microentrepreneurs that are playing an increasingly important role in supplying the larger exporters. Third, the program will enhance the sustainability of efforts now underway in Ghana's Central Region to support economic growth and generate revenues from tourism. USAID will support establishment of an endowment to increase the sustainability of USAID's investments in the Central Region, including the historic castles and fort monuments and Kakum Nature Park, a 370 km park representing the last vestiges of the Guinea rainforest. Food Aid will be used to strengthen farmers groups and cooperatives to increase incomes through agricultural production and marketing, as well as improve community-based sanitation. These activities will be implemented through USPVOs to be selected in FY 1997. The overall program will support efforts to increase U.S. trade with and investment in Ghana. It will bolster economic growth which will increase demand for imports of food, equipment, agricultural and industrial inputs and capital goods, promoting U.S. exports to the country.
Host Country and Other Donors: The Government of Ghana continues the implementation of the Trade and Investment Gateway initiative, with support from the World Bank and UNDP. The World Bank is also implementing a $50 million Private Enterprise Export Development Program as well as infrastructure investments. USAID's planned assistance is complementary to these efforts.
Beneficiaries: Over 90% of jobs generated by the Trade Reform Program will be for workers in small scale agriculture and fishing, and micro-enterprises,. Currently women own 24% of the horticulture, wood, African cloth/garments, and handicrafts industries. Women-owned businesses will continue to grow as a result of this program.
Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: The Trade Reform Program will be implemented by U.S. institutional contractors and grantees, as well as U.S. PVOs and local NGOs, to be determined in FY 1997.
Major Results Indicators: 1994 2001Increased revenues from selected $690 m $1,500 m goods and services Increased non-traditional exports $119 m $477 m Increased earnings from tourism $241 m $420 m
ACTIVITY DATA SHEET
PROGRAM: GHANA
TITLE AND NUMBER: Quality Improvements in Primary Schools, 641-S002
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: $8,800,000 DFA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1996; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2002
Purpose: To increase the effectiveness of the primary education system
Background: The primary education system in Ghana is suffering from the effects of serious economic problems during the 1970s and 1980s. Dramatic reductions in government expenditures on basic education resulted in a severe shortage of essential instructional materials like textbooks, a deterioration of school buildings, a mass exodus of qualified teachers from Ghana, and an erosion of community confidence in the education system. USAID has been working closely with the Ministry of Education to bring about improvements which include printing and distribution of textbooks and upgrading teachers' skills through training. However, these efforts have achieved limited results. Scores on annual standardized tests are improving, yet far too many pupils each year are unable to achieve a passing score. The continued low level of learning in addition to a slight decline in national enrollment rates since 1991 point to the need to focus more attention on the quality of the learning process in the classroom as well as to foster greater community involvement in schools.
USAID Role and Achievement to Date: USAID activities under its Primary Education Program (PREP) which ends in 1997 have focused on stabilizing government expenditures on primary education, supplying textbooks and other teaching materials, and conducting in-service training for teachers. With USAID assistance more than six million textbooks have been printed. This is nearly enough to ensure that each pupil within the primary education system is equipped with a basic learning tool and is a substantial improvement over 1992 figures which show that only half of pupils had access to textbooks. There have been comparable improvements in providing teachers with basic materials and training. Approximately 96% of all primary school teachers have been equipped with instructional materials such as chalk, pens, paper and record books compared to 50% in 1992. Almost 95% of primary school teachers have been trained to meet a minimum standard for teaching English and Math, compared to 66% in 1992. USAID has also worked closely with the Ministry of Education (MOE) on two important policy issues: decentralizing more financial and management responsibilities to districts and schools and establishing an institutionalized student achievement testing system. The MOE has issued directives on establishing education oversight committees within the districts and the communities and there is evidence showing that these committees are active in a number of locations, yet much work remains to be done to clearly define roles and responsibilities. Establishing the criterion referenced test for sixth graders which has been given for four years has been a major accomplishment under USAID's Primary Education Program, scheduled to end in 1997. The low test results and ensuing public discussion have helped to focus the government's attention on weaknesses within the primary education system.
Description: Quality Improvements in Primary Schools is a six-year activity which is assisting the MOE to (a) establish 330 Model Schools located in all 110 districts of Ghana and (2) revise education policies to ensure that best practices from the model schools program will be widely replicated throughout the primary education system. The Model Schools approach is based on establishing a set of school quality standards necessary for pupil learning. Examples include targets for enrollment of children, minimum attendance rates for pupils and teachers, sufficient equipment and learning materials and adequate school facilities. The Model Schools Program will concentrate on three major objectives: first, improve the learning environment by strengthening the capacity of District Assemblies (similar to city councils) to support quality schools; second, improve classroom teaching through better supervision and training in methods that stimulate student interest in learning; and third, encourage greater community (i.e. Parent-Teacher Associations, School Management Committees) involvement and participation in developing and implementing school improvement plans. Policy reforms will focus on improving educational policies in four critical areas: (1) curriculum development; (2) management of educational personnel; (3) capacity building at the district and local levels; and (4) school data collection and analysis. A key theme throughout the program will be to expand support for the decentralization process. Policies that increase district authority and accountability will be encouraged and district-level training will be conducted in management, financial planning and teacher training.
Host Country and Other Donors: Education reforms, beginning in 1987, have led to the devolution of greater responsibility for local school facilities to the district level. At the same time local non-governmental organizations and religious groups have increased their involvement in education. In early 1996 the Ghanaian government released a comprehensive plan for improving primary education in Ghana. In addition to the United States, other principal donors are supporting basic education. The World Bank has signed a large Basic Education Investment Program aimed at improving access and quality, particularly in impoverished areas. The British ODA plans to collaborate with Germany's KFW and GTZ on improving education in teacher training institutions. The United Nations Children's Fund recently started a five-year country education program which concentrates on girls' education and community-based education programs. The European Union plans to continue providing funds for non-wage expenditures.
Beneficiaries: The primary beneficiaries will be approximately 132,000 students in 330 model schools. The rest of Ghana's 3 million primary school children will benefit as changes introduced into the initially targeted schools become more widespread throughout the system. Other beneficiaries include approximately 3,300 teachers and head teachers along with 400 district education personnel.
Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: The Program will be implemented by U.S. contractors and U.S. PVOs to be determined in FY1997.
Major Results Indicators*: 1995 2002 English Pass Rate 3.6% 30% Math Pass Rate 1.8% 15% Enrollment Rate 60% 85% Retention Rates 50% 80% Model Schools established 0 330 * Indicators capture progress data in Model Schools only.
ACTIVITY DATA SHEET
PROGRAM: GHANA
TITLE AND NUMBER: Improving Family Health, 641-SO03
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1998: $14,100,000 DFA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1994; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2000
Purpose: To improve family health through reducing fertility, increasing child survival and increasing use of interventions to prevent HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD).
Background: USAID has supported family planning activities in Ghana since 1986. There has been a significant decline -- by almost one child -- in fertility in a relatively short period of time. However, fertility is still too high for economic development to be sustainable. At the current annual growth rate of 3%, the number of Ghanaians will double in 24 years, from 18 million to 36 million. USAID assistance has focused on increasing the use of, and demand for, family planning commodities and services. The emphasis now is to build on these efforts and encourage the use of more effective, longer-term methods of contraception. The Government of Ghana strongly supports family planning and has set targets of reducing fertility to 5.0 in 2000, and 3.0 by 2020. USAID's assistance to family planning incorporates AIDS/HIV prevention as well as child survival interventions. The current trend of infections in Ghana of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), which leads to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), indicates that 1.2 million Ghanaians will be infected with HIV by 2010. The current prevalence of the virus is estimated to be between 2% and 4%. Ghana's neighbors are already experiencing HIV/AIDS prevalence rates as high as 10%. These figures point to the need to heighten awareness and utilization of proven prevention interventions. Furthermore, it has been recently shown that sexually transmitted diseases other than the HIV virus increase one's vulnerability to acquiring HIV infection. Therefore, additional emphasis is being placed on the proper diagnosis and treatment of all sexually transmitted diseases. Because child survival is closely linked to family decisions about the number of children to have, specific child survival interventions such as immunization programs, control of diarrheal diseases, exclusive breastfeeding and improved weaning practices are incorporated into the program.
USAID Role and Achievement to Date: USAID-supported policy changes have led to wider availability of contraceptives throughout the country, including through the private sector, elimination of price control and deregulation of contraceptives. The total fertility rate declined from 6.4 to 5.5 children per woman between 1988 and 1993. This is largely due to a doubling of the use of modern contraceptives. Both the increase in the use of modern contraceptives and the marked decline in the total fertility rate are significant achievements over a short period of time, making the Ghana program the first family planning success in West Africa. USAID's family health program also focuses on increasing awareness and reducing transmission of HIV/AIDS in the general population. Awareness has increased to the point where 97% of men and 93% of women have a fairly accurate understanding of how the disease is acquired. A national sero-surveillance system has been designed and put into operation to track HIV prevalence. The system includes four public health reference laboratories in different locations throughout the country which have been built, equipped and staffed by laboratory personnel trained under this program. Child Survival interventions are incorporated into health messages, and support for immunization equipment (cold storage) and vaccines is an integral aspect of this assistance.
Description: To improve health status in Ghana, USAID supports a policy dialogue agenda designed to improve access and availability of contraceptives, effective diagnosis and treatment of AIDS/STDs and greater use of child survival interventions. Technical assistance and training is geared toward: (1) development of information, education & communication campaigns to generate greater demand for family planning, child survival and AIDS/STD awareness; (2) training of service providers to improve counseling and medical procedures; (3) construction of medical facilities for longer term family planning methods and laboratories to improve diagnosis and treatment of AIDS/STDs; and (4) provision of contraceptive commodities. The program emphasizes expanding provision of family planning services through the private sector. This includes expanding points of sale for contraceptives through NGO, private physicians and the private sector, which is already providing 56% of family planning services. For child survival activities USAID collaborates with UNICEF and local NGOs to (1) increase immunization coverage (with special emphasis on the eradication of polio); and (2) improve treatment of diarrhea and reduction of dehydration through increased use of oral rehydration therapies. This entails the use of both home fluids and commercially prepared oral rehydration salts.
Host Country and Other Donors: The GOG strongly supports family planning, the fight against HIV/AIDS and improved child survival interventions. USAID is the lead donor in population and family planning, and in the battle against HIV/AIDS. Japan is developing joint coordinated actions with USAID to complement efforts already under way. Other major donors in the health sector include the World Bank, United Nations Population Fund, the United Nations Children's Fund and the United Kingdom.
Beneficiaries: Beneficiaries include all men and women of reproductive age in Ghana, approximately 8.2 million people. Important target groups are women who wish to delay or limit their births but are not currently using family planning, adolescents, males and people in rural areas with limited access to services. Some 3.5 million children aged 0-5 years will also benefit from this program.
Principal Contractors, Grantees or Agencies: The program is implemented through the GOG, Ghanaian professional organizations, private non-profit Ghanaian associations, the Association for Voluntary Surgical Contraception (a USPVO) and local NGOs such as Ghana Social Marketing Foundation, Ghana Registered Midwives' Association, Planned Parenthood Association of Ghana and others.
Major Results Indicators: 1993 2001 Total fertility rate 5.5 5.0 Reported condom use in last TBD(1996) TBD Men sexual encounter at risk TBD(1996) TBD Women Percent of birth intervals under 24 mos. 10.4 5.0
ACTIVITY DATA SHEET
PROGRAM: GHANA
TITLE AND NUMBER: Enhancing Participatory Development and Governance 641-SO04
STATUS: Continuing
PROPOSED OBLIGATION AND FUNDING SOURCE: FY 1998: $1,500,000 DFA
INITIAL OBLIGATION: FY 1997; ESTIMATED COMPLETION DATE: FY 2002
Purpose: To broaden the role of civil society in the governance process.
Background: Ghana has just completed the second round of democratic elections in four years and is now poised to more fully foster greater citizen participation in the development of the country. Many non-governmental organizations already exist -- over 300 -- but most are institutionally weak and ineffective in promoting stronger linkages with government and development activities. The Government of Ghana is supportive of the NGO sector, in general, although there have occasionally been strained relations due to unsuccessful attempts by the government to exert greater control over the organizations. Furthermore, the new parliament to be inaugurated in January 1997, will have the opportunity for the first time in nearly 20 years, to demonstrate an effective multi-party relationship with the executive branch and citizens if assistance is provided early on to forge constructive and mutually supportive relations. Ghana has a very strong and competent human resource base that is poised to participate in the development of the country. Many Ghanaians based abroad are beginning to return home to positively contribute in all spheres of the economy. With the vast experience and knowledge that Ghanaians abroad are bringing back to the country, it is imperative that greater support for democratic participation be encouraged and promoted.
Description: USAID's program in support of Ghana's democratization efforts will focus on: (1) strengthening civil society and (2) fostering greater government transparency and decentralization. A democratic society depends on a healthy civil society which, while providing services, also watches government, advocates policy positions and mediates between the individual or family and the government. Government's dominant role in all spheres of society stifles individual initiative and places the public sector in the role of providing all services whether employment or social. USAID will support institutional development and advocacy of NGOs such as womens' groups, professional associations, public policy and research groups through direct grants, technical assistance and training. The media will also be supported through seminars, workshops and training opportunities that enhance professionalism and analytical skills for effective political and economic reporting. On the public sector side, USAID will support technical assistance and training of parliamentarians, district assembly officials and other organizations in the effort to decentralize authority and responsibility to the local levels. Support for developing research and policy analysis capability in parliament will be a critical element of this assistance. Forging a complementary partnership between the public and private sectors to contribute to the democratic evolution of the nation is the primary objective of this activity.
Host Country and Other Donors: USAID is the largest donor in the area of democracy and governance. Other donors play significant roles, however, in support of good governance and decentralization (British); training of the media and non-governmental organizations, such as women groups and the Bar Association (Germans, US Embassy through the Human Rights Fund, Danes and Canadians); and electoral support (Canadians, British, Danes and Europeans).
Beneficiaries: Without a stake in the society that allows for open discussion and greater flow of information, Ghanaians will not be in a position to take advantage of the benefits of economic growth. Ghana's population is disproportionately young with over 50% of Ghanaians under 15 years old. The majority of the population is based in rural areas. Ghana's 18 million people and future generations will be the beneficiaries of this activity as more organizations and individuals begin to participate more actively in the development of the country.
Principal Contractors: The Program will be implemented by U.S. contractors, grantees and PVOs to be determined during design of the activity in early FY 1997. Training opportunities and study tours through U.S. training institutions will be a focus of the activity.
Major Results: 1995 2002# of parliamentary committee meetings with active public participation 0 50/year % of legislative initiatives passed with civil society participation TBD TBD % of Ghanaians surveyed who feel they have sufficient information about TBD TBD government policies
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