Enhancing Livelihoods and Social Protection of Vulnerable Women
Year of Implementation: 2025
Background
In 2025, Savana Signatures, with funding support from the Organisation Internationale de la Francophonie (OIF), initiated the Enhancing Livelihoods and Social Protection of Vulnerable Women Project in the Northern and Oti Regions of Ghana. The project seeks to improve the economic resilience and social protection of vulnerable women, particularly single mothers, women with disabilities, and survivors of gender-based violence, by equipping them with relevant vocational, digital, and financial skills.
During the initial phase of implementation, Savana Signatures focused on laying a strong foundation for effective and inclusive delivery. Key activities included stakeholder engagements, inclusion and accessibility consultations, project orientation and planning, and a comprehensive needs assessment to ensure that proposed interventions align with beneficiaries’ interests, capacities, and livelihood realities.
Stakeholder engagements involved courtesy visits and strategic meetings with key state institutions, including the National Youth Authority (NYA), Ghana Enterprise Agency (GEA), Youth Employment Agency (YEA), and the Ghana Federation of Disability Organizations (GFDO). These engagements aimed to map existing support systems, identify training and employment opportunities, and explore pathways for linking beneficiaries to entrepreneurship and job placement programmes.
In collaboration with GFDO, the project also examined practical ways to improve accessibility at training centres and foster safe, inclusive learning environments for women with disabilities. Internal planning sessions and beneficiary allocation strategies were undertaken to ensure smooth project rollout, while a needs assessment helped refine training content to reflect participants’ skills gaps, aspirations, and local economic contexts.
Strategy
In 2026, the project will transition into full implementation by commencing vocational and digital skills training for women and girls aged 15 to 35, with priority given to those in vulnerable situations. The project will also establish mentorship programmes and strengthen linkages between beneficiaries and viable employment or entrepreneurship opportunities.
Savana Signatures will continue collaborating with government institutions and private sector partners to promote inclusive participation, sustainability, and access to broader social protection mechanisms. Across all activities, the project is anchored in principles of women’s empowerment, gender equality, and long-term livelihood strengthening in the Northern and Oti Regions.
Key Highlights
Through its engagement and preparatory activities, the project reached a total of 5,424 people, combining direct beneficiary engagement and online outreach. 1,044 beneficiaries were reached directly, comprising 950 women and 94 men, reflecting the project’s strong focus on women’s economic empowerment. In addition, 4,380 people were reached through online platforms, expanding awareness of the project and its objectives beyond the immediate beneficiary groups.