The dissemination workshop on the Integrated Social Services (ISS) Governance Framework took place at the Conference Hall of the Eastern Regional Co-ordinating Council on the 20th May, 2024.
The ISS initiative aimed at addressing multi-dimensional poverty and vulnerability by strengthening collaboration among various sectors such as social protection, social welfare, and health. The initiative seeks to integrate these services and foster coordination among implementing agencies, so that, communities can receive more effective and efficient support.
The dissemination workshop was attended by Municipal/District Co-ordinating Directors from the Eastern, Oti and Volta regions respectively.
The welcome address by the Eastern Regional Minister, Hon. Seth Kwame Acheampong, highlighted the importance of deepening coordination among implementing agencies to achieve the objectives of the ISS.
Hon. Seth Kwame Acheampong furthermore made reference to Section 12(3)(c) of the Local Governance Act, which emphasizes the legal basis for promoting social development at the district level, reinforcing the commitment of local authorities to support initiatives like ISS.
Ing. Dr. Kwame Ato Aurther, the head of the Local Government Service, emphasized that, the collaborative nature of the ISS, which provide all, involve Metropolitan/Municipal/District Assemblies financial support, through the Social Welfare, the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection (MoGCSP) and the Office of the Head of the Local Government Service (OHLGS), with collaboration from Ministry of Local Government Decentralization and Rural Development (MLGDRD), Ghana Health Services (GHS), National Health Insurance Authority (NHIA), the Ministry of Finance (MoF/FDU), National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), and UNICEF. By leveraging the Social Welfare system as an entry point, the initiative aims to enhance the capacity of local social welfare offices to deliver integrated services effectively.
The remarks by Mr. Felix Logah, Principal of School of Social Work and ISS Coordinator, Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Protection, Accra, shed light on the specific strategies employed by the ISS, such as strengthening the social welfare workforce, facilitating access to health services for vulnerable households, focusing on child protection, gender-based violence, and social protection services. He said the ISS aligns with broader development goals aimed at enhancing the well-being of children and families.
Mr. Felix Logah concluded that, the ISS initiative was a well-coordinated effort to address complex social challenges through integrated service delivery, capacity-building, and partnership across sectors and levels of government.