Danida-SP-ToC7-Ghana

Based on mineral and petroleum resources, Ghana has experienced positive economic growth over the past 10 years. However the tax to GDP ratio is below the average of West Africa and 24.2% of Ghanaians live in poverty. Several districts in Northern Ghana face poverty rates above 50%. Ghana loses an estimated USD1.3 billion every year due to tax exemptions, equal to respectively 66% and 80% of the national education and health budgets. An estimated 400,000 children are still out of school. Especially Northern Ghana faces deep challenges in relation to free compulsory quality basic education. The Northern Region Gross Enrolment Rate (GER) at primary level is 71.5% (83.3% nationwide) with a Gender Parity Index (GPI) of 0.84 (0.93 nationwide). Many districts in Northern Ghana scored below 50% at the Basic Education Certificate Examinations (BECE) and girls in Northern Ghana are estimated to get only four years of education on average - 3 years less than the national average. The programme is part of the Oxfam Country Strategy and will at the same time link with the Pan-Africa programme for regional synergies and increased impact (see ToC no. 11). It will contribute to achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 4, 5, 10, 16 and 17. Overall objective: Empowered civil society, especially women and youth, is actively advocating for progressive taxation and pro-poor spending in dialogue with the Government and private sector, aimed at increasing investments in quality education, job creation, health, social protection and agriculture, thereby reducing poverty and inequality in Ghana.