Resiliency in Northern Ghana (RING) Quarterly Report FY 2018 Q2 (January 1, 2018 – March 31, 2018)

The program, which began in 2015, aims to increase household income, improve food security, and enhance resilience to shocks and stresses. Key achievements include the establishment of 1,200 Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs), which have mobilized over 60,000 members and facilitated savings of over 1.5 billion Ghana cedis. The program has also supported the cultivation of orange-fleshed sweetpotatoes, with over 1,000 hectares of land under cultivation, and the installation of drip irrigation kits, benefiting over 1,500 farmers. In addition to these achievements, RING has made significant progress in improving water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) outcomes. The program has supported the construction of over 10,000 household latrines and tippy taps, and has triggered community-led total sanitation (CLTS) in over 200 communities. Furthermore, RING has supported the establishment of 15 water and sanitation management teams (WSMTs), which are responsible for managing and maintaining water and sanitation infrastructure in their respective communities. The program has also made significant progress in improving nutrition outcomes. RING has supported the implementation of the mother-to-mother support group (MTMSG) program, which has reached over 10,000 women and has improved infant and young child feeding practices. The program has also supported the establishment of 15 nutrition corners, which provide nutrition education and counseling to pregnant and lactating women. RING has also made significant progress in improving agricultural productivity and market access. The program has supported the establishment of 15 business advisory centers (BACs), which provide business training and support to farmers. The program has also supported the installation of over 1,000 drip irrigation kits, which have improved crop yields and reduced water usage. The program has also made significant progress in improving governance and institutional capacity. RING has supported the establishment of 15 district planning and coordinating units (DPCUs), which are responsible for coordinating development activities at the district level. The program has also supported the establishment of 15 regional planning and coordinating units (RPCUs), which are responsible for coordinating development activities at the regional level. Overall, RING has made significant progress in improving the lives of rural communities in the Northern Region. The program has achieved its key objectives and has made a positive impact on the lives of over 200,000 people. The program's achievements are a testament to the effectiveness of the RING approach, which combines community-led development with technical support and capacity building. The program's success can be attributed to the strong partnerships that have been established with local stakeholders, including community-based organizations, district assemblies, and regional departments. The program's approach has also been supported by a robust monitoring and evaluation system, which has provided regular feedback and guidance to program staff. As the program enters its final year of implementation, it is expected to continue to make significant progress in improving the lives of rural communities in the Northern Region. The program's achievements will be sustained through the establishment of a strong institutional framework, which will ensure the continuation of program activities beyond the life of the project. The program's success has also been recognized by the Government of Ghana, which has expressed its commitment to scaling up the RING approach to other parts of the country. The program's achievements have also been recognized by international partners, including the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), which has provided significant funding and technical support to the program. Overall, RING has made a significant contribution to improving the lives of rural communities in the Northern Region. The program's achievements are a testament to the effectiveness of the RING approach, which combines community-led development with technical support and capacity building.