The secretariat is managed by a thirteen (13) member management Board established by the Human Trafficking (HT) Act, 2005 (Act 694). The overall goal of the Human Trafficking Secretariat (HTS) is to facilitate the prevention and combating of Trafficking cases in Ghana. It is also to sensitize all persons to human trafficking and create a peaceful environment to accelerate national development. Mandate The Act establishing the secretariat is the Human Trafficking Act, 2005 Act 694 which is an Act for the prevention, reduction and punishment of human trafficking and for the rehabilitation and reintegration of trafficked persons and its related matters.

Functions

The functions of the Secretariat include the following:

• Ensures input of programs into the national plan of action against human trafficking, and monitor and report on the progress of the plan of action against human trafficking
• Conducts research and studies on Human Trafficking cases.
• Sets standards of practice, which inform intra-agency and inter-agency protocol
• Establish indicators to track the implementation of the act
• Set up an effective monitoring and evaluation system and implement it
• Provide assistance on the investigation and prosecution of trafficking cases
• Propose and promote strategies to prevent and combat trafficking of persons
• Ensures the rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration of trafficked persons into the society
• Liaise with government agencies and organizations to promote the training of stakeholders and the rehabilitation and reintegration of victims of trafficking
• Ensure the availability of appropriate administrative and financial management systems and support services for the effective and efficient running of the Secretariat
• Coordinate mass sensitization activities and advocacy programs on Human Trafficking
• Establish a circular feedback system for problems with a response and complaints mechanism for victims.

Objectives

The overall objectives of the secretariat are as follows,

• To reduce the incidence of HT(Human Trafficking) in Ghana
• To conduct research to support the National Plan Action for the HT secretariat
• To strengthen the capacity of HT legislation and policy in Ghana to better deal with HT issues
• To increase general awareness on HT and ensure that the public is effectively sensitized to take action against it
• To provide sustained specialized training to all key HT stakeholders on HT issues as they relate to their work
• To ensure the effective enforcement of HT laws in Ghana to include prevention, punishment of offenders and the rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration of victims
• To ensure the availability of adequate resources for the rescue, rehabilitation and reintegration of victims of HT
• To ensure that appropriate systems are in place to prevent HT by targeting at risk groups and addressing the supply and demand sides of the problem as well as the role of intermediaries.
• To ensure inter-agency collaboration on n a national and international level
• To conduct internal and external monitoring, review and evaluate activities in the action plan of secretariat
• To promote community involvement/participation in addressing issues of HT.
• To foster effective partnership/coordination among stakeholders to address HT issues

The Domestic Violence Secretariat was established by Domestic Violence Act, 2007 Act 732. The Secretariat is managed by a thirteen (13) member Management Board established by the Domestic Violence Act. The overall goal of the Domestic Violence Secretariat (DVS) is to facilitate the elimination of domestic violence from the Ghanaian Society, create family cohesion and provide for a peaceful environment for national development.

Mandate

The mandate of the Domestic Violence Secretariat is to provide protection against domestic violence particularly for women and children.

Vision

A domestic violence free society and a strong family cohesion which will contribute effectively towards National development process in Ghana by 2017.

Mission

Facilitate an effective coordination and efficient response actions to combat domestic violence and protect the fundamental human rights of women and children in Ghana through a broad-based (multi-sectoral) approach.

Core Values

The DV Secretariat is guided by the following values:

• Client services
• Gender sensitive
• Equity
• Integrity
• Diligence
• Timeliness
• Transparency
• Environmentally conscious
• Creativity and
• Accountability

Functions

The core activities/Functions of the Secretariat include the following:

• Set standards of practice, which inform intra-agency and interagency protocols;
• Lead coordination effort at three levels: policy institutions level; at the national/regional/district among service providers; and community level response;
• Organize inter-agency meetings for referrals;
• Act as clearing house for data collection analysis and storage;
• Coordinate a circular feedback system from Ministries, Departments and Agencies(MDAs)and other actors “to catch problems in response”
• Act as the central depository for information on domestic violence, violence against cases and sexual and gender-based violence
• Coordinate mass sensitization activities
• Coordinate research and studies on domestic violence
• Undertake pilot projects for lessons to be learnt to promote good practices
• Set up complaints mechanisms for survivors and the general public
• Source and reporting on funds to operationalize the implementation plan
• Establish indicators to track the implementation of the act
• Set up an effective monitoring and evaluation system and implement it.
• Lead/coordinate media standards for reporting and capacity building
• Coordinate curriculum development for agencies and capacity building initiatives including:
• coordinating the tools and materials available, reviewing, updating and adopting, monitoring performance and effectiveness of programs.
• Promote networking among key stakeholders by the creation of a nationwide network of assistance services
• Facilitate the setting up of state run shelters and develop standards for the operation of private shelters;
• Establishment of a circular feedback system for problems with a response and complaints mechanism for victims

Objectives

The overall objectives of the secretariat are as follows,

• To reduce the incidence of DV(Domestic Violence) in Ghana
• to ensure victims/survivors safety and enhance their empowerment
• to ensure protection of victims/survivors of the DV
• to improve the quality of service provision for victims/survivors and enhance their access to it
• to ensure perpetrator accountability through formal and informal redress systems
• to ensure systems responsiveness and accountability through the use of protocols,
• guidelines and regulations
• to promote community involvement/participation in addressing issues of DV
• to foster effective partnership/coordination among stakeholders to address DV

The National Council on Persons with Disability was established by the National Persons with Disability Act, 2006, Act 715. The Council is tasked with the responsibility of proposing and evolving policies that would mainstream persons with disability in the national development process.

Vision

Inclusion, empowerment and equal opportunities for persons with disabilities and for all

Mission

National Council for persons with disability exists to work with PWDS and other stakeholders to mainstream disabilities issues in all sectors of National development.

Our Values

We work on the principles that disability is not inability. We believe in human dignity, respect and equal right for all. We operate on the principles of fairness and transparency in all matters

Object and Functions of the Council

The object of the Council is to propose and evolve policies and strategies to enable persons with disability enter and participate in mainstream development activities

FUNCTIONS

• Monitor and evaluate disability policies and programs
• Formulate strategies for broad-based inter-sectoral, inter-disciplinary involvement and participation in the implementation of the national disability policy
• To ensure the preparation of an organizational manual on the operations of the council and its secretariat
• Coordinate disability activities
• Advise the Ministry on disability issues and submit to the Minister, proposals for appropriate legislation on disability
• Mobilize resources for the attainment of its objectives
• Coordinate activities of organizations of persons with disability and international organizations and non-governmental organizations that deal with disability
• Promote studies and research on issues of disability and provide education and information to the public on issues of disability
• Maintain a register of persons with disability, institutions, organizations and associations which provide rehabilitation, services or support for persons with
• play an advocacy role on disability issues at levels

The Ghana School Feeding Program (GSFP) which started in 2005 is an initiative of the Comprehensive Africa Agricultural Development Program (CAADP) Pillar 3 which seeks to enhance food security and reduce hunger in line with the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on hunger, poverty and malnutrition.

IMMEDIATE OBJECTIVES

The Immediate objectives of the Programme are to contribute to:

• Increase school enrolment, attendance and retention
• Reduce short-term hunger and malnutrition amongst kindergarten and primary school children
• Boost domestic food production

LONG TERM OBJECTIVES

The long-term objectives of the programme are to contribute to:

• Poverty reduction
• Improving food security

THE TARGET GROUP OF THE PROGRAMME:

All public primary schools and kindergartens in Ghana Local farmers

ACHIEVEMENTS

• Feeding 1.69M children, 37.4 % of National coverage
• National School Feeding Policy presented to MoGCSP for Cabinet Approval
• Use of Electronic payments for Caterers
• New Caterer contracting/ procurement guidelines has been developed
• The Programme has developed a ration design tool & handy measures fwor Caterers, to be rolled out in 2016
• Government approval to expand the programme to 3 million school children by July 2016

The Livelihood Empowerment Against Poverty (LEAP) is a cash transfer programme introduced by the Government of Ghana (GOG) in 2008, for extremely poor and vulnerable households which have the following three categories of eligible members:

• Orphaned and vulnerable children (OVC) or,
• Persons with severe disability without any productive capacity and
• Elderly persons who are 65 years and above

THE OBJECTIVES OF LEAP:

The main objective of the LEAP Program is to reduce poverty by increasing and smoothening consumption and promoting access to services and opportunities among the extremely poor and vulnerable. The Specific Objectives are:

• To improve basic household consumption and nutrition among children below 2 years of age, the aged (65 years and above without productive capacity) and people with severe disability;
• To increase access to health care services among children below 5 years of age, the aged (65 years and above without productive capacity) and people with severe disability;
• To increase basic school enrollment, attendance and retention of beneficiary children between 5 and 15 years of age;
• To facilitate access to complementary services (such as welfare, livelihoods and improvement of productive capacity) among beneficiary households

The OVCs beneficiary households are expected to meet the following conditions/co-responsibilities:

• Children between 5-15 years – enrolment and attendance in public basic schools
• Children between 0-5 years – regular visit to health facilities for vaccinations and growth monitoring
• Birth Registration of Children
• Non involvement of children in any form of Child Labour

The determination of the level of poverty is done objectively by means of a Proxy Means Test (PMT) Score calculated from data collected on potential beneficiary by the PMT questionnaires.

The programme cycle of LEAP involves three activities (Case management at each stage of the process as outlined below):

• Targeting of potential beneficiaries
• Enrolment of qualified beneficiaries on the LEAP register
• Payment of beneficiaries bimonthly

ACHIEVEMENTS:

The programme has made significant strides. The number of beneficiary households has increased from 1,645 in 2008 to 146,074 (185 districts) as at 31st December 2015. The number is expected to increase to 200,000 by 31st December 2016, and to 250,000 by 31st January 2017.

Since October 2013, all beneficiaries have been regularly paid their grants.
An impact assessment of the programme undertaken by the Institute of Statistical, Social and Economics Research (ISSER), University of Ghana, Legon in partnership with the North Carolina University in 2012 showed positive impact on the extreme poor in Ghana. LEAP is reaching the poorest families in Ghana and is having impact on the well being of Targeted families