Report of MeTA civil society group activities in Ghana - 31 July 2009

Posted on 21 August 2009

The meaningful participation of Civil Society in MeTA in Ghana is critical to the success of the multi-stakeholder process. The need therefore to build capacity of Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) working at community levels to have adequate knowledge and understanding of the pharmaceutical sector in Ghana and the complex nature of the medicine supply chain cannot be over emphasised. A critical part of MeTA’s approach is to provide support to civil society organisations through training and workshops to participate fully in the multi-stakeholder process and sit round the same table as the public and private sector with good levels of knowledge, understanding and skills to ensure this process works effectively.

The goal of the Ghana CSO Group in MeTA is to improve consumer access to essential medicines through increased transparency and accountability in the supply chain with the following objectives within the project cycle:

• To build a net work of CSOs at the regional and district levels within the project cycle.
• To build the capacity of the network within the project cycle.
• To promote consumer access to information on aspects of pricing, availability and rational use of medicines.

The first capacity building workshop was organised for selected CSOs based in Ghana, Uganda, and Zambia in February 2008. Members of the Ghana team formed the planning team to develop the Ghana CSO work plan and have since been working to oversee the implementation of activities in the CSO work plan.

Health Access Network (HAN), Ghana, is the coordinator of the MeTA civil society Group in Ghana.

Activities carried out during the reporting period

Planning Meetings

An MOU was signed between Health Access Network and the International MeTA Secretariat in March 2009 to start the implementation of the CSO work plan in Ghana.

Between the times the MOU was signed to the end of July 2009, four meetings have been held by the planning team all at the ERATA Hotel. As a result a number of activities were undertaking in line with the agreed work plan.

Identifying Network Members

A simple membership criterion was developed and interested CSOs were made to apply through the internet. Application from over 20 members across the country has been received. Members identified were invited to participate in a five-day training of trainers’ (TOT) workshop.

The five-day training of trainers’ workshop in MeTA processes.

The five-day training of trainers (TOT) civil society organisation capacity building workshop was organised from May 24-30, 2009 at the Continental Hotel, Akosombo. Thirty six participants representing thirty two organisations drawn across the country took part in the workshop.

The workshop was part of civil society capacity strengthening work of the international Medicines Transparency Alliance (MeTA). It aims to use a multi-stakeholder approach towards increasing transparency around the regulation, selection, procurement, sale, distribution and use of medicines in developing countries, thereby strengthening governance, encouraging responsible business practices and ultimately improving access to medicines, especially for the poor.

The five-day workshop was expected to help participants:

• Feel more prepared and comfortable to engage with national policy processes;
• Acquire specific knowledge on issues related to access to medicines, in particular transparency, accountability and efficiency issues;
• Acquire skills to promote greater transparency and accountability at national, district and community levels;
• Strengthen networking and establish linkages among CSOs working on  essential medicines issues, and
• Develop ideas on campaigns and advocacy on medicines issues in Ghana.

The workshop was participatory in nature and made use of the knowledge, skills and experiences of facilitators and participants as a major resource throughout. It included knowledge sharing, skills development, experience sharing and zonal planning sessions each day.

A one day-field visit was undertaken to provide participants with an opportunity for direct learning about the issues of transparency in the Ghana pharmaceutical sector.

At the end of the workshop, potential areas for advocacy initiatives on access to medicines were identified and these will be the bases for CSOs in Ghana to work together on Access to Medicines. Participants drew zonal work plans to engage other CSOs and stakeholders at the various regions.

Next Quarter Activities

• To expand the planning team members into a team of CSO Advisory group that will review relevant issues regarding access to medicines in Ghana and make recommendations to the MeTA governing council.
• Develop IEC materials translated into major local dialects and undertake zonal trainings and create more consumer awareness.

The IEC material will be developed with the non-literate members of the society in mind. English versions will be translated into major local dialects (Ga, Akan, Ewe, Dagbani, Dagari and Gruni).

The following were areas discussed to be included in the development of IE&C materials.  A meeting to priortise the list would be held.

• Education on generic medicines; this would be targeted at both patients and health personnel. HAI/WHO/MOH CWG have some information on generics in English and this can be adapted to the local language and community setting.
• IE&C materials on polypharmacy.
• Stockouts and medicine prices.
• Policy briefs would also be developed NAP+ to advocate for free HIV treatment and this would be targeted at NACP, GAC.
• Also advocate for free medical care for children under-5 years.
• NHIA expectations of public not adequate. Need to do some education on benefit package, accreditation of service providers, reimbursement procedures.
• Patient Charter.
• Quality of pharmaceuticals on the Ghanaian market.

 Zonal activities

A one day orientation would be organised in each region.

A total of 40 participants would be invited.

The target group includes:

• One representative each from District health offices;
• One representative each from District assemblies (HIV/Malaria focal persons);
• One representative each from five women groups (market and Christian groups);
• One representative each from five CBOs (GPRTU, Taxi drivers association, dressmakers, hairdressers association);
• One representative each from five local NGOs out of which three should be women based;
• One representative each from four major hospitals (nurses, doctors, and pharmacists), and
• Representatives from FDB and pharmacy council.

The pilot for these activities will start with the eastern region in September 2009.