On March 25, 2024, the Ministry of Finance Project Coordination Unit Team, VisionFund Ghana, World Vision Ghana, and World Vision Canada embarked on a second field trip to the Northern and Savannah Regions of Ghana. This visit aimed to monitor the progress of the Ghana Financial Sector Development Project (GFSDP) and ensure the successful transition of group savings from savings boxes to bank or credit union accounts. The team also sought to understand the benefits the project has brought to group members and identify any challenges they are facing to suggest solutions.
The trip began with a brief meeting to discuss the GFSDP report and update the team on the project's progress. On the second day, the team visited the Mbosanzu community, engaging with three groups: the Timyooni Nbusahazogu group with 29 members, the Timal Tabriba Nbusahazogu group with 17 members, and the Suglo Nboribuni Nbusahazogu group with 30 members. The group members shared how the project has benefited them, including challenges like accessing tractors for farming, finding buyers for their products, and obtaining larger loans to support their farming activities.
The team then visited the Sala community, meeting with four groups: F4T Tinyeyam Salaa, F4T Salaa Kpanmang Noo Kumya, F4T Mangsounsin, and F4T Salaa Wuni Songti. The groups shared inspiring stories about the project's impact. Abiba noted that they used to rely on cutting and selling firewood to support their children during the off-season, but now they can care for their children with savings from the savings box. Zainab, the savings box keeper, recounted a fire outbreak that had her worried about the safety of her children and the savings box. With the introduction of the community bank, Tizaah, they can now safely transfer their savings to the bank.
The team also visited the Tizaah bank to discuss how their collaboration with the savings groups has progressed. The day concluded with this insightful meeting.
On the final day of the field trip, the team visited the Damongo community and met with two groups: the Wumnaya group and the Kanyinibawoe group. These groups shared stories of how the project has helped them recognize the importance of having a bank account. The team then visited the Bole Community Credit Union, where groups from Damongo have registered to save their money, to assess their progress and collaboration.
The field trip offered valuable insights into the progress being made on the GFSDP, shed light on the challenges faced, and emphasized the project's potential to empower communities and achieve its goals. While the project is still ongoing, we have high hopes that it will bring about a significant transformation in the lives of the communities, particularly the children whom these hardworking parents tirelessly support.