Savannah Integrated Rural Development Aid (SIRDA) was formed by a group of young University graduates from the Nanumba Traditional area after the Ethnic conflict of the Nanumbas and the Konkombas to contribute to the resettlement and peace process in the area in 1995. In 2005, it was registered under the Company’s Code Act 173 with registration number G. 8344 as a Non-Profit, Non-Sectarian, and Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) whose activities centered on voluntary advocacy activities and awareness creation on education and the rights of women in the Nanumba North District of the Northern Region. Most of the activities of SIRDA over the years have been empowering women first to lead their community development agendas.

In 2017, based on the importance attention the organization placed on women as Development Change Agents, the Board of Directors and Management of SIRDA decided to undertake a rebranding process by starting with the name change to highlight WOMEN, unlike before where it was silence in the name. Hence the name was changed from Savannah Integrated Rural Development Aid to Savannah Women Integrated Development Agency (SWIDA Ghana). The Registrar General number for SWIDA is C0010061517 and the social welfare certificate number is DSW 3156.

It must be stated that, the mission, and purpose of SIRDA is still relevant including all its partners, assets, records of achievements as SIRDA are still the property of now SWIDA.

SWIDA has two offices, one in Tamale (Head office) and the other in Bimbilla (Field office). The head office is located in Gurugu (a suburb of Tamale) about 400 meters opposite Tizaa Royal Specialist Hospital; on the Tamale- Kumbungu road. The Organization also has strong professional presence in the Upper East Region.

The SWIDA

The philosophy and aims of the Savannah Women Integrated Development Agency (SWIDA) with the current focused on advancing the human rights and advocating for the empowerment of women, girls and the youth in society. As women-led non-governmental organization, we advocate for share responsibility and decision making through women empowerment, equal participation in leadership and governance; ending domestic and sexual violence against women and girls; women in social enterprise, innovation and technology and more importantly women contribution towards peace building, conflict resolution, security and disaster risk reduction. SWIDA employs rights-based approach and people-centered advocacy by engaging its constituents and participants to duty bearers through facilitation, building capacity and demand-driven service delivering based on needs assessment for evidence-based advocacy, social and infrastructural interventions such as Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH); Health System Strengthening for women and girls inclusion; Agricultural System Strengthening for Women and Girls Inclusion; and Environmental and Climate Change for Women and Girls Inclusion. We at SWIDA set out these programmes with direct involvement of our constituents and development partners. This charter is drafted and adopted by SWIDA team and constituents.

Focus Areas

Women’s Economic Empowerment.
Women in Leadership and Governance.
Ending Violence Against Women and Girls.
Women in Social Enterprise, Innovation and Technology.
Women in Peace Building, Security, and Disaster Risk Reduction.
Women and Girls in Agriculture, Livelihoods and Agribusiness development
Natural Resource Protection and Management

Core values and principles

Our values include; Integrity, respect for all, transparency and accountability, Commitment to excellence in service delivery, Partnership and networking, creativity and innovation and the guiding principles of SWIDA are;

Selflessness – It is expected that staff will take financial and administrative decisions solely in terms of SWIDA interest. They should not take decisions in order to gain financial or other material benefits for themselves, their families or their friends.

Integrity – Staff have a duty to declare any private interests relating to their duties and to take steps to resolve any conflicts arising in a way that protects SWIDA’s interests. It is expected that staff will not place themselves under any administrative and financial or other obligation to outside individuals or organizations.

Respect- Respect for and protection of all especially children is not a negotiated value of SWIDA-GH. Everyone is important and their rights and needs are of high value to the organization and achievement of its core mandate.

Objectivity – In carrying out SWIDA’s business, such as awarding consultancy contracts or selecting preferred suppliers, staff are expected to make objective choices based on merit.

Accountability – Staff are accountable for their decisions and actions. As an organization we should be able to explain and justify to any stakeholder how we have used our resources in the best way to achieve our mission.

Openness – Staff should be transparent about their decision making and the actions they take.

Stewardship – Staff must take good care of the resources they are entrusted with and make sure that they are used for the purposes intended.

Leadership – It is expected that staff will want to promote and support these principles by leadership and example.

In furtherance of these objects, themes and values, the organization may engage in any or all of the following;

Develop and implement programmes and projects aimed at promoting equalization of opportunities for all gender groups and promoting human rights and social justice in the society
Raise funds both locally and internationally to implement its projects and programmes
Provide training for District Assemblies, Development Agents, staff and project beneficiaries
Undertake educational programmes and campaigns to raise awareness in vital national issues through advocacy and policy influencing

Coverage and Scope of Operations

SWIDA operates and work in all five regions in Northern Ghana. The details are as follows:

Northern Region: 12 MMDAs: (Tamale, Sagnarigu, Savelugu, Gushegu, Nanton, Mion, Tolon, Kumbungu, Nanumba North, Nanumba South, Yendi, Zabzugu, Saboba)
Savannah Region: 4 Districts (West Gonja, Central Gonja, Bole and East Gonja,

1.8 Organization’s Governance Structure and secretariat

The Organization is governed by the Board of Directors (BOD) made up of seven individuals (5 women and 2 men) with professional background from gender advocate, human rights, water and sanitation, corporate governance and organizational development. The BOD is the highest decision making body of the Organization and meets annually four times in a year to approve programmes, budget and policy changes. The BOD assists the organization by raising funds for the day to day operation of SWIDA. They also initiate major policies for management to implement. The BOD is chaired by Chairperson appointed by the rest of the members.

SWIDA has seventeen (17) paid staff (9 female and 8 male), eight (8) experienced partners and volunteer consultants ready to offer their services at any time they are called upon. Their professions and experiences range from Community Development, Water and Sanitation experts, monitoring and evaluation experts, Gender and Women empowerment, Micro Financing, Agriculturalist, Development planners among others. The Secretariat is headed by an Executive Director (ED) appointed by the BOD to lead the implementation of BOD’s policy decisions.

SWIDA is a Women’s Right Organization (WRO) and currently Headed by a Woman as the Executive Director and Leader of the Management.

The Executive Director attends BOD meetings and reports to management on decisions taken at the board.

The organization is guided by internal control mechanisms including administrative handbook, financial manual, human resource policy, gender and child protection procedural manuals in view of the kind of work we do and the expected results.

1.9 Offices and Location

SWIDA has two offices, one in Tamale (Head office) and a field office in Bimbilla (Field office). The head office is located in Gurugu (a suburb of Tamale) about 400 meters opposite Tizaa Royal Specialist Hospital; on the Tamale- Kumbungu road.

Digital GHA; Code: NS-128-3925

2.0 SWIDA’S Expertise/Areas of Specialization (activities)

SWIDA is an Non-Governmental Organization which partners with international and local development partners including the Government of Ghana to undertake diverse development programmes/projects. Our core areas of expertise and competencies are anchored in;

The core philosophy of the firm is “Thinking globally and acting locally”; blending international expertise and best practices in partnerships with local initiative and knowledge. SWIDA over the years has developed competence in the following areas:

Gender Empowerment and Development;
Child Protection
Women in Peace Building and Conflict Prevention
Women and Girls in Leadership and participation in public space
Women and Livelihoods: Food security and Nutrition initiatives
Sexual and Gender Based Violence
Green jobs and regenerative agriculture
Partnership with local institutions and professionals
Climate change, restoration and conservation initiatives
Water, Hygiene and Sanitation
Financial inclusion for women modules

2.1 Former Funders/Partners

Global Communities/USAID
Africa Lead/USAID
APSP/USAID
ACDI/VOCA/USAID (Farmer to Farmer Project)
Global Shea Alliance/USAID
SNV/Japan Social Development Fund and World Bank
CWSA/IDA/World Bank
NORST/CIDA now Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
SeKaf GH/Northern Rural Growth Programme
Savannah Agricultural Investment Project

SWIDA Ghana membership of Networks/Coalition and Alliances

1. Ghana Focal Point, WeCan community of Practice on Drylands of the FAO (Nurturing Community of Knowledge Practice for Women in dryland forests and agrosilvopastoral systems)

2. Network for women right organizations (NETRIGHT), Focal Point for Savannah Region

Global Forum for Sustainable Rural Development
African Women’s Leaders Network (AWLN)
Ghana Platforms on SDG
National Network for SGBV

7. Peasant Farmers Association of Ghana,

8. West Africa Network for Peace Building (WANEB Ghana)

9. Global Shea Alliance

10. Shea Network Ghana

11. Ghana Federation of Forest and Farm Producers

CONIWAS
Local Government Network
VSLA Actors Platform

SWIDA Ghana Special Recognition and Awards

Social Change organization of the year with focus on Mentorship and Female Leadership and SGBV, 2024 by Northern Excellence Awards
SWIDA Ghana has received recognistion and award with Social Intervention Project of the year 2023 awarded at the Ghana Lifestyle Awards
Different citation and awards by our Executive Director