Oxfam in Ghana Digest July 2016

Oxfam in Ghana
Digest
Opening Remarks
GHQ004 - July 2016
Its always an exciting time to come to you with the Oxfam in Ghana Digest. Over the period we have thrilled our readers with
stories from the field and campaigns. This edition is yet another series of major events of our programmes across Ghana.
This particular edition also sampled views of various tax payers on #taxhavens as it has been a major issue under the
#EvenItUp campaign. We are giving you the opportunity to hear what other people are saying about this phenomenon which
is ripping most African countries off much needed revenues.
Read more on our climate change adaptation project, our #OilMoneyTV project; how Active Citizenship in one of the coastal
districts is yielding positive development outcomes and many more.
IN THIS EDITION
Being an Oxfam Team: an inspiring time or despairing moment?
Sharing our Stories at Gender Action Learning final workshop
Time with Asgedech, a Female Food Hero of Ethiopia
Klub, Oxfam visit Maternal Health Project
Follow Ghanas Oil Money Here #OilMoneyTV
Im an Ambassador of Energy Efficient Stoves, a caterer shares her
story
Choosing between Pito Brewing and Soap Making; Cecilias Dilemma
Social Accountability at the beck and call of community activism in
Shama District
BST Corner
VoXpoP
OXFAM IN GHANA DIGEST
OXNEWS
Being an Oxfam Team: an inspiring

time or despairing moment?
Story by Naana Nkansah Agyekum, Oxfam
The Oxfam in Ghana team with Oxfam IBIS, the latest addition to the Oxfam Confederation had a chance since the merger to
have a joint programme to learn, equip and prepare staff for the One Oxfam Country Team.
The 3 day training from the 20th-22nd April was seen as a necessary process to bring together all staff towards building a
one Oxfam team with shared culture and ways of working to build trust.
Paricipants listening attentively to a group presentation.

Photo Credit/ Naana Nkansah Agyekum/Oxfam
Hot debate on introversion and extroversion.

Staff of both Oxfam/IBIS shared their

impression
The BaOT session helped to diffuse the tension

of venturing into the unknown realm of co-creating
a new organization from different organizational
It clarified the change process and my fears

lessened.
Felicia Esinam Pufaa, Programmes
and Campaigns Officer, Oxfam in Ghana
backgrounds. Presentations and discussion of

the envisaged organization was quite helpful in
this regard. The process also helped to build trust
between staff of Oxfam and IBIS, and indeed fostered
aspects of the principles of a team: common sense
of
purpose,
mutual
accountability,
collective
responsibility and ownership and commitment

Eric Kavaarpuo, Coordinator of Advocacy Project on
Domestic Education Financing, Oxfam/IBIS ,
The BaOT training in Accra was both informative and

energizing. I came away with a renewed appreciation
for the different teams that work within Oxfam (OGB,
OUS and Oxfam IBIS!) and motivation to continue
working together towards one OxFamily in Ghana
regardless of any uncertainties that may be ahead!
Sarah Lajoie Fyles, Programme Development Advisor,
Oxfam IBIS
It was exciting and informative; however some

questions were left unanswered.
Francis Ayamga Agbere, Extractive Industries
Programme Assistant, Oxfam in Ghana
Facilitators Alison and Sonia enjoying a group discussion.

Sharing our Stories at Gender

Action Learning final workshop
It started with a lot of interest and passion because of
the style of the training. The Gender Action Learning (GAL)
created a very cordial and relaxing environment for gender
discussions. Three organisations, Oxfam, Wacam and
Centre for Public Interest Law (CEPIL) were selected in the
Ghana team to go through the yearlong programme.
HELLO!!! Meet the GAL Team
Telling our Stories.

Each organisation was tasked to select a project to be

executed within the one year period. After three successive
trainings which was spread intermittently within the period,
The posturing of gender issues was making it
participants came out with their own stories of change;
unattractive and sometimes annoying for men to
change in their approach towards gender; change at the
be part of the discussions, this training has indeed
personal level; change at the organisational level and most
revealed that gender is not just about women but
importantly change in individuals all towards advancing
men as well;
gender justice.
3
Kumi Larbi, Legal Advisor, CEPIL
Francis Agbere sharing his GAL story.

Kumi Larbi presenting a GAL certificate to a colleague.

Shifting the questions to why men and women

will behave differently helps to unravel some of the
underpinning factors that reinforce gender stereotypes
and I like that approach being adopted
Our approach of grouping only women to sensitize

them on their rights and empowerment at the community
Francis Agbere Extractives Industry Programme

Assistant, Oxfam in Ghana
level has now been broadened to get the men involved

as well. We have realised this approach is better than
the former.
Kennedy Kusi Marshall, Programmes
Officer Wacam.
Esther and Rex in a discussion.

Change is gradual and change starts from the

individual and as individuals change they affect the
people closer and then their community,
Kennedy Marshall sharing his GAL experience.
Esther Ekuoe, Oxfam in West Africa Gender Advisor
If we see gender justice as a struggle between men

and women that creates problem but it should be seen
as the advancement of the relationship between men
and women in an equitable manner,
Naana Nkansah
Gender Dose:
I have realised that fighting for womens rights has
too often become synonymous with man hating. If
there is one thing I know for certain; it is that this has
Agyekum, Media and Communications Lead, Oxfam in
to stop
Ghana.
Emma Watson, Goodwill Ambassador of UN Women
Klub, Oxfam visit

maternal health project
Story by Felicia Esinam Pufaa, Oxfam
Officials from Klub Development Corporation (KDC), an Austria
donor and Oxfam Colleague from Oxford visited the Maternal
Health project communities in the Upper East Region.
They visited these communities to interact with Oxfams
implementing partner (PARDA) and direct beneficiaries of
the project. The maternal and child health intervention
since its inception in 2011 in six communities including
Gia, Naaga and Sapelga all in the Upper East Region has
improved maternal and child related health care issues.
The Naaga clinic, one of the community clinics which benefitted
from the maternal health facilities from Oxfam.
Photo Credit: Felicia Pufaa/Oxfam
We have seen concrete things that the project has

provided to improve maternal health care and this gives us
the encouragement to support such initiatives
Sarah Schette, the Programmes Coordinator of KDC

revealed.
Some nursing mothers at Naaga Clinic who were part of the

pregnancy school under the project.Photo Credit/ Felicia Pufaa/Oxfam
Chiefs and community members at Naaga and Gia expressed

gratitude to PARDA and Oxfam for this intervention and
provision of other health facilities like delivery beds, solar
lamps, shed for antenatal care and weighing scales.
Oxfam team with nurses and midwives at Gorogo Health Post.
Leadership of the communities under this project has also
The Gia and Naaga communities shared stories of how the
pledged their commitment to mobilise resources internally
continuous visit of the Traditional Birth Attendants and
to complement Oxfams effort.
Community Health Volunteers is helping young pregnant

women access anti natal care in their communities.
The Community Health Volunteers (CHV) expressed how

their work has been eased with the provision of items such
as rain coats, bicycles and mobile phones.
Interaction with Community Health Volunteers at Gia

Photo Credit: Patience Azu/PARDA
Mary Dagoro, a midwife at Namoaligu Community Clinic addressing

the Oxfam Team. Photo Credit/ Felicia Pufaa, Oxfam
Time with Asgedech,

a Female Food Hero of Ethiopia
Asgedech is a small scale farmer in the Amhara region of
A real multi talented woman, who brews her own local gin,
Ethiopia. She is one of the Female Food Heroes in Ethiopia
bakes bread, supplies milk from her cows and also cultivates
under our Agriculture Advocacy Programme which is being
vegetables and other food crops during the farming season.
implemented in Ethiopia, Ghana, Tanzania, Nigeria and

Burkina Faso.
An annual review of this programme in Ethiopia took some
staff of Oxfam to Asgedechs region.
Our interaction with Asgedech was a clear evidence of why
I may not offer myself in the broad

political arena but I would love to have the
she was selected from her region to be part of the project.
opportunity to share my farming experience
Some people here informed me about the Female Food
with others as well as the exposure I have
Heroes which was on TV. I was recommended and later

nominated.
gained - Asgedech explained.
Oxfam team with Asgedech
Asgedech Tensay, Winner of the 2015 Female Food Heroes from Amhara Region. Photo Credit/ Naana Nkansah Agyekum/Oxfam
Even if you give me money I wont appreciate as much

because I cant show the money to my community but I
can show the medal to everyone for the acknowledgement
Pots for processing the local
gin. Photo Credit/ Naana Nkansah
Oxfam staff being served with

Asgedechs bread. Photo Credit/
Agyekum/Oxfam
Naana Nkansah Agyekum/Oxfam
Oxfam has given me and it has encouraged me to work even

harder, Asgedech intimated.
Asgedech said meeting women from different location and

climate on the show was a real learning experience for her.
She explained when given the platform in her community,
she would be glad to share what she has learned during the
FFH with the other women in her community.
I may not offer myself in the broad political arena but I
would love to have the opportunity to share my farming
experience with others as well as the exposure I have
gained, Asgedech explained.
When asked whether she is comfortable with her farming
and other businesses; she only smiled and said: Am
comfortable in my own way. That is to say, I can clothe my
children, provide them with the necessary health care and
feed them. Maybe not luxurious but I am ok.
Elated Asgedech proudly displays her medal given to her for
the FFH boldly in her room.
Asgedechs proud medal. Photo Credit/ Naana Nkansah Agyekum/Oxfam
PARTNER INTERACTION
Follow Ghanas Oil Money Here
#OilMoneyTV
Story by Francis Agbere , Oxfam
Do you want to know more about how Ghanas oil revenue is expended? Then I strongly recommend http://oilmoneytv.org/
for you. Oxfam and partner Africa Centre for Energy Policy introduced this innovative digital media tool which serves as an
online video platform.
This platform is also a repository of audio-visual campaign efforts but most importantly, an advocacy tool that Oxfam
leverages in pushing the limits of petroleum governance in Ghana. It will also help connect communities to the realities of
oil investments on the ground and hold government to account.
You will also see film documentaries that track projects funded by petroleum resources on this platform. Value-for-money
checks are made on projects, discrepancies established in spending, questions raised and answers sought on such
projects.
Some of the videos have been used to engage the

government and also promote debate and information
sharing among civil society and the broader public around
petroleum contract disclosure and open and competitive
bidding provisions in the Petroleum Exploration and
Production (E&P) Bill.
Im an Ambassador of Energy
Efficient Stove, a caterer
shares her story
Story by Nabila Abu Tamboa, PARED
Ganni Nabila is a 39 year old and a mother of six. She works
the fire away and had to be extra careful to control it from
as a caterer at the La-atarigu Community, in the East
blowing into the school compound to hurt the children, she
Mamprusi District of Northern Region. She provides lunch to
said worriedly.
pupils of the school under the Ghana Governments School

Feeding Programme.
Gaani attended a community sensitisation meeting on the

Energy Efficient Stoves as part of the Climate Resilient
I am happy with my job because through this I am able to
Agricultural Food System (CRAFS) project by Oxfam and
cater for the needs of my children. Gaani explained, but
partners. She became very interested in trying the new
quickly added I was exposed to intense fire from the three
stove in her business. With the help of one of the community
stone-stove I was using which affected my health.
trainers, Gaani learnt how to construct the stove and built

one at the school for her cooking.
.
Gaani Nabila has noticed the remarkable reduction of fuel
she now uses. My monthly expense on fuel has reduced
by half and it is even more comfortable using the stove
because I am not exposed to the direct heat and fire as it
used to be
Sample of three stone stove.

Photo Credit: Nabila Abu/PARED
She further explained she used to spend almost GHS 200

($50) monthly on firewood for cooking lunch for the pupils.
The situation was even worse during the windy harmattan
season when I spent even more on fuel as the wind blows
Gaani Nabila cooks on her new Energy Efficient Stove.

Photo Credit: Nabila Abu/PARED
Gaani further explained, she could also leave food on the
the stoves. She has helped to construct 23 of the stoves
stove after some hours of cooking and still be served hot
for other women.
to the children because of the heat retention of the new

stove .
Im championing a good course of conserving our forest

and reducing the use of firewood which affects our
She is now a proud ambassador of the Energy Efficient Stove
environment, she said happily.
and encouraging other caterers in other schools to build
Choosing between Pito Brewing

and Soap Making; Cecilias Dilemma
Story by Josephine Yuora Terkpeng, ProNet.
Cecilia lives in the Pulbaa community in the Daffiama Busie
Issa District of the Upper West Region. The 34 year old widow
has to fend for herself as well as her five children and three
other dependants. She farms on a piece of land her husband
left for her which became barely enough for her household.
She added pito brewing (locally brewed beer) to supplement
the income she gets from the farming but that was still not
enough for the familys upkeep. I started this pito business
but you know this our area, people will drink on credit and
you end up with nothing or just a little to buy food stuff,
Cecilia bemoaned.
A training session on soap making for the women.

Photo Credit: Josephine Yuora Terpkeng/ProNet
Cecilia received training in soap making and business

management as part of the CRAFS project to provide
alternative livelihoods solutions for women in these
communities. After the training on soap making, she
decided to suspend the pito brewing for a while and give
the soap making a try.
She started making

the liquid soap for
sale in her village
and
neighbouring
communities. I make
an average profit of
10 Cedis fortnightly.
I started this pito business but you know

this our area, people will drink on credit
and you end up with nothing or just a
little to buy food stuff
Cecilia bemoaned.
I buy the base, foam

booster and other
ingredients,
she
recounted
Cecilia preparing her liquid soap.
10
Cecilia says the soap business is comparatively better

than the pito brewing and the former involves less stress.
For this one my profit is assured and I am able to save
consistently at least two Cedis at every VSLA meeting_ (
Village Savings and Loans Association is a social network
created in communities to enable them contribute to a
common fund and later loan to members in need with very
little interest), she said beamingly .
samples of soap made by Cecilia.
Social Accountability at the beck

and call of community activism in
Shama District:
Story by Francis Ayamga Agbere, Oxfam
Raising the voices of communities is one sure way of
ensuring accountability in the local governance. Knowing
the essence of this, Friends of the Nation with support from
Oxfam has tailored a Social Accountability (SA) programme
in the Shama district that connects local voices to issues
of national importance. This model is delivered through
the Peoples Forum where citizens have a face to face
encounter with local government authorities and question
various development projects undertaken with district
revenue.
Knowing the essence of this, Friends of the

Nation with support from Oxfam has tailored
a Social Accountability (SA) programme
in the Shama district that connects local
voices to issues of national importance.
Interaction during the Peoples Forum between the
district leaders and citizens in Shama District.
Photo Credit/ Solomon Kusi Ampofo
11
The governance process adopted here carves a unique

story of change, citizen activism and public accountability.
The model which started on an irregular basis has now
become the toast of the Shama District as they crave for
such opportunities on a regular basis to know more about
their district. At the Peoples Forum, community members
are given the space to demand accountability from duty
bearers in a manner that opens room to interrogate District
Medium Term Plans; determine the level of implementation
of activities/projects outlined per plan and assess the
expenditure on such projects.
Nana Akosoa Gyambiafa II being assisted by Oxfams

Ian Gary to unveil the accountability book .
Unveiling of Accountability Board.

Photo Credit/ Abdulkarim Mohammed/Oxfam
At the launch ceremony of a book that has catalogued the

process to serve as an example to other districts; Nana
Nana Akosoa Gyambiafa II -Queen Mother of Nyankrom- who
Akosoa Gyambiafa II expressed her deep excitement I am
has been inspired by the level of citizen engagement in
pleased that this community is projected because of public
Shama after having chaired the 2015 and 2016 versions of
accountability and I pray that it will be a lesson for others to
the Peoples Forum spoke highly of the process and model
follow, she urged
adopted by Oxfam and partners.
BST CORNER WITH
MAWUSE AGBLOBI, Business Services Manager
MANAGING PERFORMANCE
Performance management is the guiding principle for every employee to ensure we are
committed to attracting and retaining the best talent and to their continuous improvement
in their daily work. It ensures the achievement of strategic results, aligns individual goals to
the culture of the organization, and helps consolidate the commitment of everyone to the
organisation.
12
Why Performance
Management?
At Oxfam, we believe Performance Management is essential for all staff as:
Every employee has the right to have their performance managed, as well as a responsibility for ensuring
it is managed. In much the same way, every manager has the right and responsibility to manage his/her
employees performance, as well as accountability for ensuring it is managed. Performance Management
supports Oxfams ways of working: culture, values, and behaviours.
It also ensures that we are all as effective as possible by enabling:
Clear goals and expectation setting
A link between organizational vision, strategy, and individual and team objectives
Professional and personal development
Alignment to organisational culture and values and
Accountability
How to Manage
Performance?
Managing Performance at Oxfam starts at the beginning of the fiscal year with
a planning conversation between employee and manager that includes setting
the individuals goals and development needs. It is then followed by two formal
review processes; a shorter mid-year review and an annual review which takes
place at the end of the year.
It is important to understand that these activities are a mandatory part of
working at Oxfam and we encourage our partners to do same.
13
14
Tax havens have been on the radar recently where Oxfam is reporting that billions of
dollars is lost in tax haven to developing countries every year.
So why has it become a big issue now?
What is the difficulty of governments to tighten its
Abdullah Ali-Nakyea
tax regime?
We sampled views of some experts.
Managing Partner, Ali-Nakyea & Associates

One of the practical ways of curbing the menace
of tax havens is for all countries to insist on
companies and institutions in the home countries
Sonia Kwami,
to keep a Beneficial Ownership Register (BOR). This
Oxfam Southern Engagement & Influencing Lead |
Register ensures that the information of beneficial
Even It Up! Campaign: Every dollar that is stashed
owners (that is individuals) of shares of companies
away in a tax haven deprives our government
and institutions are known in their home countries,
of revenue that could be used to finance social

services such as quality health care, education and
clean water. And investing in these social services
hence they can be identified and served with tax

assessments on their earnings wherever these
earnings are kept.
that benefit the poor is a proven approach for

reducing inequality
Albert Kan Dapaah, Executive Dir.

FAT-Africa, a former Cabinet Minister. Tax havens
Dr Mohammed Amin Adam,

Executive Director, Africa Centre for Energy
offer opportunities for taxpayers who have
Policy; Ghana has an opportunity to take a bold
acquired wealth in Ghana to deny our country

taxes that ought to be ours. That as a nation
we have invested to build the environment that
facilitated the acquisition of that wealth in our
country does not seem to matter to such tax
dodgers. Denying our country the taxes due to us
perpetuates poverty and retards economic and
human development in Ghana. Tax havens cannot
be justified. It is immoral. It is wrong. It must be
condemned
step towards corporate transparency involving

local and foreign companies operating in the oil
and mining industry as it considers passing the
Petroleum (Exploration and Production) Bill and
the Ghana Extractive Industries Transparency
Bill. The Government of Ghana can show that
commitment by incorporating into the Petroleum
(Exploration and Production) Bill, a clause for the
mandatory disclosure of beneficial ownership
information in oil deals as citizens are calling for.
You can share views on our #genderdose and any other feedback via email nagyekum@oxfam.org.uk
twitter https://twitter.com/oxfaminghana and Facebook https://www.facebook.com/OxfamInGhana/ .
Always remember to use the #hashtag when commenting on the gender dose on any of our social media platforms.
15

Oxfam in Ghana Digest July 2016

Uploaded by

Document Information

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Oxfam in Ghana Digest July 2016

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Oxfam in Ghana

GHQ004 - July 2016

OXFAM IN GHANA DIGEST

Being an Oxfam Team: an inspiring

Paricipants listening attentively to a group presentation.

Hot debate on introversion and extroversion.

Staff of both Oxfam/IBIS shared their

The BaOT session helped to diffuse the tension

It clarified the change process and my fears

Felicia Esinam Pufaa, Programmes

and Campaigns Officer, Oxfam in Ghana

backgrounds. Presentations and discussion of

responsibility and ownership and commitment

OXFAM IN GHANA DIGEST

The BaOT training in Accra was both informative and

It was exciting and informative; however some

Facilitators Alison and Sonia enjoying a group discussion.

Sharing our Stories at Gender

HELLO!!! Meet the GAL Team

Telling our Stories.

Each organisation was tasked to select a project to be

The posturing of gender issues was making it

participants came out with their own stories of change;

unattractive and sometimes annoying for men to

change in their approach towards gender; change at the

be part of the discussions, this training has indeed

personal level; change at the organisational level and most

revealed that gender is not just about women but

importantly change in individuals all towards advancing

OXFAM IN GHANA DIGEST

Kumi Larbi, Legal Advisor, CEPIL

Francis Agbere sharing his GAL story.

Kumi Larbi presenting a GAL certificate to a colleague.

Shifting the questions to why men and women

Our approach of grouping only women to sensitize

Francis Agbere Extractives Industry Programme

level has now been broadened to get the men involved

Kennedy Kusi Marshall, Programmes

Esther and Rex in a discussion.

Change is gradual and change starts from the

Kennedy Marshall sharing his GAL experience.

Esther Ekuoe, Oxfam in West Africa Gender Advisor

Photo Credit/ Naana Nkansah Agyekum/Oxfam

If we see gender justice as a struggle between men

Agyekum, Media and Communications Lead, Oxfam in

Emma Watson, Goodwill Ambassador of UN Women

OXFAM IN GHANA DIGEST

Klub, Oxfam visit

We have seen concrete things that the project has

Sarah Schette, the Programmes Coordinator of KDC

Some nursing mothers at Naaga Clinic who were part of the

Chiefs and community members at Naaga and Gia expressed

OXFAM IN GHANA DIGEST

Leadership of the communities under this project has also

The Gia and Naaga communities shared stories of how the

pledged their commitment to mobilise resources internally

continuous visit of the Traditional Birth Attendants and

to complement Oxfams effort.

Community Health Volunteers is helping young pregnant

The Community Health Volunteers (CHV) expressed how

Interaction with Community Health Volunteers at Gia

Mary Dagoro, a midwife at Namoaligu Community Clinic addressing

Time with Asgedech,

Ethiopia. She is one of the Female Food Heroes in Ethiopia