By Kizito CUDJOE
World Vision Ghana (WVG) and its partners have launched a new programme under the Transforming Household Resilience in Vulnerable Environments (THRIVE 2030 Project), aimed at doubling the incomes of some 400,000 households across the country by 2027.
The initiative seeks to strengthen household resilience, improve incomes and promote sustainable livelihoods by connecting families with inclusive market systems and access to knowledge and resources.
Rolling out from 2024 to 2027, the programme aims to reach an estimated 160,000 households this year alone across 14 districts in seven regions – including Upper West, Upper East, Ashanti, Northern, Western North, Savannah and Bono East.
At a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signingto officially commence the project in Accra, THRIVE 2030 Programme Manager Justice Tiiigah said the intervention’s design is based on years of engagement with farming and producer groups across the country.
“But there has been a gap,” he noted. “You often start implementing a programme without first working on people’s mindset. THRIVE 2030 is different. It begins by helping people rethink their potential and supports them to develop household business plans that can move them out of poverty.”
He added, “We believe that if your income is increased, you can do anything you want,” hence the target of 400,000 people to double their incomes by end of the programme’s duration.
“Through promotion of ‘the savings for transformation programmes’, we organise community members to meet weekly, put their normal savings together and use it for their development.”
Mr. Tiiigah contended that the project’s approach – mindset transformation, savings for transformation as a way to increase access to credit – finally culminates in production, “where we have inclusive market systems which will enable them to produce in large quantities”.
“At this point, they may need some financial support and that’s where Vision Fund comes in to support these farmers with loans – either farmer loans, agric loans or production loans – for them to be able to produce in large quantities.”
Overall, THRIVE 2030 brings together local actors and market facilitators to ensure rural households can sustainably grow their incomes while adapting to shocks and building long-term economic independence.
Partners for joint implementation of the programme include VisionFund Ghana, Farm Concern International, Ghana Commodity Exchange, Fairtrade Africa, Pangea Africa and Esoko.
WVG’s National Director, Jean Claude Mukadi, in his welcome remarks at the MoU signing ceremony in Accra said the partnership demonstrates a shared commitment to building resilient communities in Ghana.
He reiterated that THRIVE 2030 will “empower smallholder producers with the right tools, knowledge and opportunities”.
The National Director noted that partners bring unique expertise which will contribute to the shared vision of overcoming systemic challenges associated with promoting inclusive market systems development.
He said: “We believe that our collective efforts will lead to increased income, profitability and overall impact. We are confident that together we can drive meaningful progress toward improving resilience and livelihoods for the many families we serve”.
Partners to the THRIVE 2030 also took turns during the ceremony to express their readiness to contribute and ensure the project’s successful implementation.
