Previous

Contents

DAY FOUR – AFTERNOON SESSION

PANEL: Government & NGO/CSO Collaboration in the Implementation of the Millennium Challenge Account in Ghana

Goal: Ascertain GoG assessment of CSO participation in the MCA in Ghana; Obtain insights into US NGOs assessment and collaboration with the Millennium Challenge Authority in the USA; MIDA to define CSO participation in the implementation of the Ghana compact.

Venue: Ministry of Public Sector Reform Conference Room

Panelists:

Mathew Armah – Millennium Development Authority (MIDA, Ghana)

John Ruthrauf – InterAction

Ismail Lansah – Northern Ghana Network for Development

Moderator: Reuben Coffie – Care International (TIPCEE)

The session began with a synopsis by John Ruthrauf on the MCA process in the USA until the signing of the compact by Ghana. The presentation traced the role played by key congressional figures in lobbying, setting up guidelines and a board to manage the compact. The presentation also highlighted InterAction’s role in the whole process.

Mr. Mathew Armah, Project Manager of MIDA then gave an outline of the objectives of the MCA, MIDAs work to date and how it plans to work with the NGOs. This particular point was further buttressed by Mr. Ismail Lansah’s presentation on Government, NGO / CSO collaboration, where he highlighted roles being played by NGOs in the three Northern Regions and elsewhere and various levels at which NGOs could collaborate with government and the MIDA to implement proposed activities.

Questions / Comments / Clarifications

• Comment: The difference between InterAction and other INGOs and a key strength is that it has been able to establish links with many African Countries, through which it can tap into information and vice-versa. The work of InterAction is known throughout most of Africa.
• Question: What is InterAction doing in relation to Ghana’s MCA?
• Response: There is concern in the Bush Administration about the cost / amount of money involved. There is also concern about the gap in administration with regard to implementing these funds. Personally, InterAction is not worried about the cost and the size of programme but rather the program should be well run and implemented with qualified development staff / specialists.
• MIDA: At this moment, there has been no agreement to provide local NGOs resources to monitor the implementation of the MCA. The idea is great but so far there is no concrete proposal in that regard.
• The compact agreement is complex and new. MIDA is learning its own roles and desires to be effective, but at the same time, check and balances must be put in place. The secretariat is moving with caution. The compact is a legal document with various agreements to be signed – legal contract – a whole organised system of legal aid, and its important for CSOs to be aware of these processes as the compact is developed.
• The objective of the MCA is to achieve economic growth through agriculture. This objective is steeped in Ghana Poverty Reduction Strategy (GPRS) 1 & 2 where modernising agriculture is one of the key objectives. The focus of the compact within that remit addresses the issue of the local poor. The MIDA met with District Assemblies a couple of days ago – the District Chief Executives (DCEs) planning officers, agric officers and other technical officers in the districts to explain the compact the various things that have to be put in place in order to draw on funds. Thus there is a balance between speed and doing things right.
• With regard to projects within the compacts, the secretariat is exploring areas in the agricultural profile which lends itself to growth. For example, which areas of cash cropping are sustainable? It also involves changing the mindset of agriculture as a way of life to business venture. The compact will involve the development of road infrastructure; rural development – provision of services such as education, water energy – mainly from the perspective of industrialisation.
• In terms of outreach and M&E, the objective is to use the NGOs and the private sector on the ground. Other aspects of the compact cover Training, Financing – connectivity between banks – rural financial services. The goal of the secretariat is to make sure that systems are put in place.
• Question: How would the very poor is integrated into the MCA?
• MIDA: The core programming design takes cognisance of the poor. The very poor are mainly subsistence food croppers and do not have access to markets of any kind. The position of MIDA/MCA is to improve productivity and create access to markets that can absorb the surpluses.
• Question: How would MIDA meet the indicators particularly Freedom House and Think Tanks
• MIDA: The indicators are more of a governance issue / classification - it is a way of assessing how far government allows divergent thoughts and analysis from other institutions such as the Institute of Economic Affairs (IEA), Centre for Policy Analysis (CEPA) etc. in a positive way.
• Question: Was the process of developing the indicators satisfactory? What lessons were learnt?
• MIDA: With regard to lessons learnt, the secretariat came to appreciate contributions of all partners. There were diverse opinions but all opinions counted. There was also the tendency to underestimate the amount of money involved and work that needed to be done. It is a step by step process, and the simpler the idea the likelihood of effective implementation. The secretariat also realised the need to strike a balance between consulting and developing the proposal because there was the tendency to debate oneself into nothing!
• In designing the process, MIDA/MCA had an opportunity to interact with persons / institutions who were knowledgeable about the issues
• Question: Aware that in most African Countries MPs are absent from all these debates. Is there any plan to get Ghanaian MPs involved in the process? Since American MPs are seriously involved in the process
• MIDA: Some MPs who have been involved are knowledgeable about the process but there are plans to engage them on a wider level
• Question: In an attempt to engage civil society has the secretariat identified a position that would be a liaison for CSOs?
• MIDA: An outreach officer has been hired and this person should play a liaison role
• Question: In practical terms how is MIDA going to engage CSOs
• MIDA: MIDA is in the course of defining the consultative process. The Community Outreach Directorate of MIDA will engage CSOs but at the same time, the CSOs must be proactive in engaging with MIDA. Requests for proposals (RFPs) will soon be put out and it is expected NGOs would respond to these.
• Comment: These processes need to be watched. Unless mechanisms that requires a certain level of partnerships between MIDA and NGOs, these processes of RFP will cut out many NGOs that could have contributed to the process.
• Comment: The MCA is not the only assistance to Ghana. AGOA is also a form of assistance and Ghana will be hosting AGOA next year. How can the MCA be tied to AGOA or how complementary will the two be?

Matters arising from Conference

• The need for an effective NGO Platform
• Funding critical in ALPI country operations
• USAID Country missions do not always show required interest / involvement in ALPI programs
• The need for level playing field in terms of decision making between donors and recipients of ALPI programme; Balance in power relationship – PVOs/USAID still have control / power / money
• Lack of interest by US PVOs
• Private sector bias in working mainly with INGOs and not local NGOs
• Private sector companies still not doing enough in terms of corporate social responsibility
• Culture of Networking by NGOs is yet to be fully grasped – organisations are still concerned and protective of their empires
• Networks can be powerful tools for addressing complex policy issues
• Competition for resources hinders initiatives for networking - governing boards / councils are made up members equally seeking funding for individual organisations
• CSOs in Ghana still feel relationship with MCA / MIDA not strong enough – involvement in processes and activities still on a cosmetic basis

Challenges

• How to maintain a networks neutrality and independence and at the same time nurturing cordial relationship with government
• The issue of branding ALPI is both an issue and a challenge
• Adoption of effective strategies to both engaged and interested US PVOs in the program
• In the case of Ghana a strong national platform is required – GAPVOD not visible enough
• Knowledge sharing among country teams still a challenge

Recommendations

• Country team model must be adopted in Washington for American NGOs
• Country teams should publicise activities and processes on the website
• Country teams must act as clearing houses to approve participating NGOs
• Involve Country teams in choice of themes during annual ALPI / InterAction conference in Washington – create space to enable African teams make presentations
• MIDA should engage the NGOs to send the message across by developing a briefing kit in the various languages and in pictorial form
• NGOs involved in the process can operate at different levels – policy formulation level, mobilisation at the district level and implementation – no single NGO can take control of the whole process at all levels from design to implementation
• Effective collaboration and cooperation required among tripartite members

Previous

Contents