Through the Generating Revenue and Opportunities for Women to Improve Nutrition in Ghana (GROWING) project, an initiative of CARE International, Sung Foundation is working to equip local leaders with the skills they need to drive sustainable change from within. Now in its second phase, the project is being implemented in Damongo and Daboya, both located in the Savannah Region. This initiative is focused on improving nutrition, strengthening financial security, and promoting gender equality among women, youth, and children under five.
As part of the broader set of activities under the GROWING project, Sung Foundation recently trained three groups critical to community progress: Village Agents, Community-Based Extension Agents (CBEAs), and Gender Champions. Each group plays a unique role, but together, they form the foundation of a broader strategy to build resilience and opportunity at the local level.
Village Agents were trained to lead the Village Savings and Loan Associations (VSLAs) established in their communities. These VSLAs are self-managed savings and lending groups that provide financial services to members who often have no access to formal banks. The Village Agents, elected by their peers, learned how to mobilize members, form and train savings groups, support conflict resolution, collect financial data, and link groups to other essential services. Their leadership is helping community members, particularly women, to save, access small loans, and invest in their families’ futures.
At the same time, Community-Based Extension Agents were trained to champion climate-smart agriculture, an essential focus for communities whose livelihoods depend heavily on farming. Supported by district Agricultural Extension Agents, the CBEAs are promoting the cultivation of nutrient-rich and climate-resilient crops such as orange-flesh sweet potato, amaranth, papaya, groundnut, soybean, and moringa. They are also tasked with gathering accurate field data to track how the project is impacting nutrition and income levels. Through their efforts, families will not only improve their food security but also increase their incomes in the face of a changing climate.
Recognizing that real development must address social inequalities as well as economic ones, Sung Foundation also trained a group of community-nominated Gender Champions. These volunteers (one woman and one man from each participating community) were selected to advocate for gender equality, lead community dialogues, and challenge harmful social norms. Their training was guided by findings from a gender analysis, which revealed that women often have little access to land, credit, or decision-making roles, and face ongoing risks of gender-based violence. Gender Champions are now actively working to promote more inclusive, equitable communities where the rights and contributions of women and girls are fully recognized and respected.
Together, the Village Agents, Community-Based Extension Agents, and Gender Champions are leading a community-driven movement for change. Through their dedication and the support of Sung Foundation and partners such as the Department of Agriculture and District Health Directorates, the GROWING project is nurturing crops and savings, and resilience, dignity, and hope for a better future in the Savannah Region.
