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The GIF information brochure gives a good overview of the GIF program.

What is GIF
History of the GIF
Objectives
How does the GIF work etc


Download the GIF information brochure

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Network - IDEG

Governance Issues Forum Network (GIFNET)

Overview

The GIF is an integrative participatory mechanism designed and introduced by IDEG in 2004 to promote citizens participation in decision making and development planning at the local and national level. As an integrative concept, the GIF combines skills upgrading and public policy knowledge building with institutional platforms for effective civic engagement. This is to promote rights-based and inclusive policy dialogue and mutual accountability between state and non-state actors towards poverty reduction, development and improvement of democratic governance. Since it was introduced, about one thousand (1,000) citizens have been trained in public deliberation methodologies, lobbying and advocacy, dialogue and policy engagement. Citizens trained have over the years applied their deliberative and lobbying techniques to dialogue with policy makers at the local and national level on the following themes: “Tackling Youth Unemployment” in 2005’; “Effective Basic Social Service Delivery at the Local Level: which way forward?” in 2006; and “Promoting Quality Education for National Development” in 2010. 

Fundamentally, the GIF translates people’s voices, choices and collective decisions into action for development planning and implementation. The GIFs are convened mainly at the district level with a focus on ensuring the participation of women and other excluded groups such as People with Disabilities (PWDs). Currently the GIF is convened directly in 15 districts across 8 regions of the country. The Ashanti and Brong-Ahafo regions are the only regions not covered by the GIF programme. 

Goal

To enhance the capacity of citizens and local communities to participate effectively in public decision making through purposeful collaboration with duty bearers in order to ensure equitable and accountable development. 

Results 

Since it was introduced activities of the GIFNets have attracted considerable attention and interest beyond the districts and regions in which they operate. Members of Parliament, Ministers of State, CSO leaders, Private Sector Actors, Traditional Rulers, and ordinary citizens - both men and women- have participated in GIF activities and continue to do so. In 2005, Ghana’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning participated in the GIFNet platform to promote dialogue on youth unemployment issues. This contributed to the allocation of funds in the 2007 national budget in support of youth employment programmes throughout the country. 

The GIF platform has become a major interface mechanism for policy deliberations, dialogue and advocacy at both national and local government levels. During the 2008 national elections, through the GIF, platforms were mounted for citizens to engage aspiring Parliamentary candidates and political parties in 26 constituencies across seven regions on various themes. The platforms afforded citizens and the aspiring candidates the opportunity to deliberate on ways of addressing various governance issues in their constituencies.

Operational Structure of the GIF 

The forum operates through a network called the Governance Issues Forum Network (GIFNet). This includes individuals and organizations that participate in activities and have undergone training in the GIF methodology. Membership of the GIFNet is open to ordinary citizens working as civil society, private sector actors, traditional and faith based leaders. People working in the Public sector can also join the GIFNets in their capacity as citizens. 

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