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Case Study

CVA Feasibility Assessment: Upper East and Upper West Regions, Ghana

June 2024 — By Plan International

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The worsening security situation in Burkina Faso has led to the influx of over 15,000 asylum seekers into the Upper East and Upper West regions of Ghana. This has placed significant pressure on the already limited resources of the host communities, particularly in the area hosting the settlements of Tarikom and Zini.

Plan International Ghana conducted a feasibility assessment of a Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) program to gain a better understanding on how best to support these vulnerable communities. The assessment utilized a combination of qualitative and quantitative data collection tools, including focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and trader questionnaire survey. This report summarizes the key findings of the rapid feasibility analysis for CVA.

The residents of Zini and Tarikom settlements and the host communities face significant challenges related to protection, shelter, food security, livelihoods, education, WASH and healthcare. Shelter is a predominant issue for settlement residents, while education needs focused attention in the host community.

The Tarikom settlement center has registered around 3,568 asylum seekers (1,052 Households) out of an estimated 8,107 across the Upper East region. The Zini settlement center, initiated in April 2024, has registered 396 individuals (112 Households) from an estimated 6,892 in the Upper West region.

The feasibility study found that existing market capacity and financial service providers’ structure, along with previous successful CVA modality implementation by the government and WFP, are strong enablers for implementing successful CVA programming. Clear, coordinated targeting and communication strategies are crucial to ensure proper reach to the most in need among asylum seekers and host communities, given the limited financial resources. There is also a need for a strong protection risk mitigation strategy for any CVA activities to avoid unintended harm.

Due to limited identification options, direct cash transfers through envelopes are recommended for asylum seekers, while mobile money for host communities. This is largely to address the KYC (Know Your Customer) compliance issues. Addressing broader needs, including education, livelihoods, health, and protection issues, through complementary support programs is also highly recommended.

The situation requires ongoing collaboration between humanitarian organizations and the government. Implementing robust and accessible feedback and monitoring mechanisms will ensure concerns are identified quickly and addressed effectively. By combining CVA with additional support (most notably, protection) and continued coordination, this program can significantly improve access to the urgent needs of both displaced populations and host communities in Ghana.