Ghana achieved significant economic growth and poverty reduction between 1995 and 2016, with national poverty falling from 56.5% in 1992 to 23.4% in 2016. However, these gains have been uneven, with the Northern Belt of Ghana facing the highest levels of poverty, illiteracy, and malnutrition in the country. The region is affected by recurrent drought due to unreliable rainfall and experiences a long dry season. Households in this area are larger than the national average and face severe challenges related to limited livelihood opportunities, leading to significant seasonal and permanent migration. Children under five are particularly affected, with high rates of anemia and vitamin A deficiency caused by poor diet diversity and high morbidity. Social and cultural norms give men predominant control over resources and decision-making, leaving women with limited agency.
The GROWING project, running from March 2022 to December 2026, aimed to improve the nutritional and financial security of women, youth, and young children in six districts across the Northern, North East, and Savannah regions. Implemented by the International Potato Center (CIP) and CARE International, the project applied a gender-transformative, integrated approach combining climate-smart agriculture, nutrition, finance, and marketing. Central to the project were GROWING Futures Clubs (GFCs), comprising approximately 30 households each, engaging pregnant or lactating women, young children, and their fathers. The intervention was delivered in three overlapping two-year cycles, reaching thousands of households and aiming to scale effectively while documenting lessons learned.
Addressing gender inequality was a core part of the project. The Social Analysis and Action (SAA) methodology was used to challenge restrictive norms through Gender Dialogues, storytelling, role-playing, and action planning. Partnerships with local NGOs and community leaders reinforced project legitimacy and ownership. The approach led to improved access for women to productive resources, increased joint household decision-making, and men’s greater participation in domestic chores. Challenges included uneven male participation, literacy constraints, and slow shifts in entrenched norms.
Nutrition interventions focused on improving dietary diversity and promoting joint decision-making in households. The project introduced tools such as the Healthy Baby Toolkit and Goal Cards to guide behavior change. Nutrition training sessions were supported by Ghana Health Service officers and Community Health Volunteers, and results showed marked improvements in household, women’s, and children’s dietary diversity. These positive changes were sustained even during drought periods, demonstrating the resilience of the intervention.
Agriculture formed the backbone of the integrated intervention. Climate-smart practices were promoted through training manuals, participatory demonstration plots, and Community-Based Extension Agents (CBEAs). Adoption of improved practices and crops, particularly orange-fleshed sweetpotato (OFSP), rose significantly over project cycles. A two-tiered seed system, combining decentralized vine multiplication and household-level Triple S technology, ensured timely access to quality planting materials, supporting both production and income generation. Challenges included literacy barriers among CBEAs and the need for closer integration with district-level agricultural support.
Agro-processing was promoted to enhance income and market demand for OFSP. The project supported small-scale community processing groups and medium-scale urban processors, linking them to farmers for consistent supply. OFSP puree was incorporated into local baked and fried foods, generating higher profit margins and increasing acceptance among consumers. Investments in local fabrication of processing equipment reduced costs and facilitated broader adoption.
The finance and market linkage components strengthened household economic resilience and collective marketing capacity. Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) were integrated into GFC activities, increasing access to savings, credit, and investment opportunities. Market training, establishment of Healthy Food Connectors, and Nutritious Food Corps Agents helped GFCs access profitable markets and improve postharvest handling, enhancing sustainability and income generation.
The project also piloted cavy (guinea pig) rearing to improve household nutrition and income. Training addressed both technical and gender barriers, leading to reduced livestock losses and increased engagement of women and children in care activities. Cavy rearing proved particularly attractive to marginalized groups as a pathway out of poverty.
Digital tools and monitoring systems supported adaptive management and evidence-based decision-making. QR-coded ID cards enabled real-time tracking of participation, while qualitative methods captured community perspectives and changes in gender norms. Regular reviews and stakeholder engagement facilitated learning, integration of innovations, and adjustments to implementation strategies.
Partnerships were critical to the project’s success. CIP and CARE led implementation with support from government departments, local NGOs, technical experts, and private-sector partners. Technical working groups and steering committees provided guidance and oversight, ensuring coordination and problem-solving across sectors.
Key lessons highlight the effectiveness of GFCs as units for integrated, gender-transformative interventions. Overlapping cycles strained implementation capacity, suggesting future scaling should focus on completing two-year cycles before expanding. Volunteer facilitators require adequate incentives, training, and recognition. Solar-based irrigation and decentralized OFSP seed systems proved essential for production and income gains. Agro-processing and cavy rearing are socially acceptable and economically viable innovations with potential for scale. Strengthening VSLAs, formalizing market linkages, and institutionalizing gender-transformative approaches within local structures are recommended to sustain and expand impacts. Overall, the GROWING project demonstrates a replicable model for integrated interventions that address gender inequality, nutrition, agriculture, and market development in northern Ghana.
