Northern and Upper Western Region

Northern and Upper West regions are located in the Savannah zone of Ghana with Islamic being the predominant religion. In the regions, there are poor infrastructure, healthcare, and sanitation, and portable drinking water. Lack of educational infrastructure accounts for high illiteracy rate, lack of healthcare facilities leading to high STIs infections, drug and substance abuse, illegal abortions, robberies, school dropouts, high community violence, child marriages, domestic violence, and child delinquency. Due to a single rain pattern, poverty is very high since planting is only done once a year. Poor road network cuts communities from major cities where proper healthcare can be accessed and also where farm produce can be sold after harvesting. Saving arm foundation leasing with community members have supported the women to form groups for shea butter production since that is the major economic activity going on. We offer education and support to domestic violence victims, young persons living with HIV, young persons living with a disability, child marriage, less privileged children in the community through community trained volunteers and support in the distribution of acquiring taps which are used to purify drinking water. Saving arm foundation also engage social justice institutions like CHRAJ, DOVVSU, Social Welfare, Police, and judicial agencies to seek for justice for violence victims. The major changes include interference and obstruction of justice for victims by chiefs, politicians, family members, opinion leaders, religious leaders, and influential people in the society. Lack of funds, logistics, and human resources, cultural, religious beliefs, and taboos is also a major factor. Saving arm foundation is currently supporting YPLHIVs and shea butter groups in some communities, we have also distributed books and uniforms to some children, rescued a 13-year-old girl from child marriage to a 42-year-old man through the police, community volunteer and social worker in one of our implementing communities. Saving arm foundation intends to put up a school in one of the communities to create an enabling environment for children to be educated, dig a borehole for one community and form a village savings and loan venture. Conduct intensive community education on domestic violence, child marriage, and dangers of interference in rap and defilement cases.