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Accelerating Social and Behaviour Change (ASBC) Activity

Year of Implementation: 2021

Background

The USAID Accelerating Social and Behavior Change (ASBC) Activity was a five-year initiative implemented through a consortium led by FHI 360, with Savana Signatures serving as a key implementing partner. The activity built upon USAID’s long-term investment in strengthening Ghana’s health system through the Ghana Health Service (GHS), with particular focus on empowering the Health Promotion Division (HPD) to lead effective social and behavior change programming.

ASBC aimed to achieve sustainable adoption of healthy behaviors among target populations (women of reproductive age, newborns, children under five, and youth under 25) across northern Ghana’s zones of influence, with expansion into Western and Savannah regions. The activity aligned with Ghana’s Universal Health Care Roadmap, USAID’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy, and the National Health Promotion Strategy (2022-2026).

Strategy​

Savana Signatures implemented a comprehensive strategy that combined grassroots community engagement with innovative ICT solutions to drive sustainable behavior change. The organization mobilized and coordinated activities across 143 CHPS zones, ensuring the effective implementation and quarterly review of Community Health Action Plans (CHAPs). Through the Community Engagement for Health and Wellbeing (CE4HW) approach, we worked closely with community structures such as mother and father groups, Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs), and Traditional and Religious leaders, while collaborating with Regional and District health management teams to strengthen local ownership of health initiatives.

On the technology front, Savana Signatures scaled up digital platforms including AgooSHE+, Kpopodo Mobile Messaging Platform, and Talking Books to amplify health messaging. We developed targeted video content, health promotion data management applications, and audio-visual training materials, all aligned with the GHS “Good Life: Live It Well” brand. The team systematically monitored and evaluated the effectiveness of these ICT interventions in driving measurable behavior change. This dual approach of community mobilization and digital innovation was implemented in close coordination with GHS/HPD at all levels to ensure institutionalization and sustainability of interventions.

Key Highlights

  1. Strengthened HPD capacity at national, regional, district levels and sub-district levels across 9 districts in143 CHPS zones in the Northern, North-East and Savannah Regions
  2. Developed targeted SBC materials for malaria, FP/RH, MNCH, WASH, nutrition, EID, and CEFMU
  3. Implemented measurable ICT-driven behavior change interventions ie. The Kpododo Mobile Messaging, SHE+ Helpline, TalkingBooks, DHIS, etc.
  4. Fostered community ownership of health solutions through participatory approaches in the CE4HW
  5. Enhanced coordination between health systems, local government, and community structures across the 9 project districts
  6. Contributed to sustainable SBC programming under the leadership of HPD.

The project successfully combined grassroots community engagement with cutting-edge ICT solutions to promote lasting health behavior change in northern Ghana. All interventions were implemented in close collaboration with and under the direction of GHS/HPD to ensure institutionalization and sustainability.