Bongo: The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has called on the Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Upper East Region to integrate a Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA) planning into their Medium-Term Development Plans (MTDPs) to ensure inclusive and sustainable development. Ms Yvonne Wonchua, UNFPA Focal Person, made the call during a district-level peer review session for the District Planning Coordinating Unit (DPCU) and stakeholders on HRBA in Bongo.

According to Ghana News Agency, the session formed part of the United Nations Peace Building Fund (PBF) Project, a joint initiative implemented by UNFPA and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) to promote peace and prevent conflicts by empowering women and youth in decision-making processes at the local level. ‘The belief is that when women and young people are actively involved in decision-making, they are less likely to be influenced to foment trouble or lead conflict. Instead of reacting to conflicts, we want to prevent them by promoting inclusion, empowerment, and social cohesion,’ Ms Wonchua explained.

Ms Wonchua noted that conflicts often arose when certain groups were excluded from community decisions, stressing that integrating HRBA principles in planning ensures that ‘no one is left behind.’ Under the HRBA framework, Assemblies are encouraged to adhere to six key principles including participation, accountability, non-discrimination and equality, transparency, empowerment, and legality or rule of law.

‘If we have well-prepared plans focused on human rights, we can be sure that even with limited resources, part of the activities implemented will promote inclusion and equality,’ Ms Wonchua said, adding that HRBA-aligned plans also attract development partners and funding support. She emphasised that the current peer review served as a reminder to planning officers and stakeholders to ensure their upcoming MTDPs (2026-2029) reflected HRBA principles, in line with national and global standards such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 2030 and African Agenda 2063.

The session also provided a platform to assess progress made by the Bongo District following a two-day HRBA training held last year in Bolgatanga for key local government officers under the Peace Building Fund project. Mr James Twene, the Acting Upper East Regional Director of the Department of Gender, presenting on the HRBA concept, underscored its role in promoting inclusive governance, transparency, and equitable access to services, and urged Assemblies to integrate the HRBA principles.

‘So as an Assembly, you must make sure that when you are constructing a social amenity like hospital, it should be friendly and accessible to everyone, including differently abled persons,’ he added. Alhaji Ibrahim Habila, the Bongo District Coordinating Director, described the peer review meeting as a critical performance management tool that would enable the Assembly to evaluate progress and correct gaps before finalising their plans.

He encouraged participants to actively contribute to the discussions, stressing that shared input enhances the quality of the district’s development plan and ensures it reflects the needs and voices of all stakeholders. The session brought together representatives from various departments of the Assembly, including Social Welfare, Ghana Health Service, National Disaster Management Organisation (NADMO), and Ghana Education Service, among others, who exchanged insights on promoting inclusive and rights-based development planning at the local level.