RICE Ghana

Theory of Change

RICE Ghana believes that vulnerable groups especially women, youth, PWDs, and out-of-school girls can transform their lives and communities when they are given platforms, knowledge, tools, and access to resources.

We strengthen local governance systems, community collectives, and social capital while facilitating access to markets, finance, technology, and public services. This approach addresses not just economic deprivation but the social exclusion and structural barriers that sustain poverty.

Key Operational Areas

Women, Girls, and Youth Empowerment, Mentorship, and Leadership Development

This intervention area builds the confidence, agency, and leadership capacities of women, girls, and youth through structured mentorship, coaching, and internship programs. It includes initiatives that promote engagement, personal development, life skills, and leadership training, while also supporting advocacy for girls’ rights, participation in decision-making, and inclusion in governance and community leadership.

Gender Equality, SRHR, and Social Protection

RICE Ghana promotes access to comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), gender-based violence prevention, and social protection services. This area empowers adolescent girls and women to exercise their rights, make informed decisions, and advocate for gender equality. It also incorporates child rights protection and intergenerational support systems, including peer support for adolescent mothers and child-focused advocacy.

Climate Resilience, Natural Resource Management, and Environmental Advocacy

RICE Ghana support to strengthen the role of women and young people particularly the youth in climate action, environmental governance, and sustainable natural resource management. It includes training and mentorship in climate-smart practices, green entrepreneurship, and environmental leadership, with a strong gender lens to ensure inclusive participation in community-led climate resilience strategies. This initiative birthed the Youth Advocacy on Climate Change and Mitigation – YACCM initiative

Inclusive and Gender-Responsive Livelihoods and Agricultural Development

RICE Ghana enhances women’s and youth access to agricultural extension services (by building capacity of young women as private extension service providers), inputs, and skills through gender-responsive approaches. This area promotes sustainable livelihoods by linking participants to mentorship in agribusiness incubation, value chains, and market systems, ensuring they benefit from opportunities across the agriculture and rural development sectors.

Financial Inclusion and Economic Empowerment

This intervention supports financial literacy, group savings (VSLAs), credit access, and entrepreneurship for women, youth and PWDs. It includes coaching and tailored financial inclusion strategies to increase economic agency and independence. Mentorship in business development, access to productive resources, and cooperative leadership ensures that women and young people can lead and grow sustainable Agri-enterprises.

1. Women, Girls, and Youth Empowerment, Mentorship, and Leadership Development This intervention area builds the confidence, agency, and leadership capacities of women, girls, and youth through structured mentorship, coaching, and internship programs. It includes initiatives that promote engagement, personal development, life skills, and leadership training, while also supporting advocacy for girls’ rights, participation in decision-making, and inclusion in governance and community leadership.

2. Gender Equality, SRHR, and Social Protection RICE Ghana promotes access to comprehensive Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), gender-based violence prevention, and social protection services. This area empowers adolescent girls and women to exercise their rights, make informed decisions, and advocate for gender equality. It also incorporates child rights protection and intergenerational support systems, including peer support for adolescent mothers and child-focused advocacy.

3. Climate Resilience, Natural Resource Management, and Environmental Advocacy RICE Ghana support to strengthen the role of women and young people particularly the youth in climate action, environmental governance, and sustainable natural resource management. It includes training and mentorship in climate-smart practices, green entrepreneurship, and environmental leadership, with a strong gender lens to ensure inclusive participation in community-led climate resilience strategies. This initiative birthed the Youth Advocacy on Climate Change and Mitigation – YACCM initiative

4. Inclusive and Gender-Responsive Livelihoods and Agricultural Development RICE Ghana enhances women’s and youth access to agricultural extension services (by building capacity of young women as private extension service providers), inputs, and skills through gender-responsive approaches. This area promotes sustainable livelihoods by linking participants to mentorship in agribusiness incubation, value chains, and market systems, ensuring they benefit from opportunities across the agriculture and rural development sectors.

5. Financial Inclusion and Economic Empowerment This intervention supports financial literacy, group savings (VSLAs), credit access, and entrepreneurship for women, youth and PWDs. It includes coaching and tailored financial inclusion strategies to increase economic agency and independence. Mentorship in business development, access to productive resources, and cooperative leadership ensures that women and young people can lead and grow sustainable Agri-enterprises.

Management & Governance Structure

RICE Ghana is governed by a diverse and experienced Board of Directors that provides strategic direction, oversight, and policy guidance. The Program Director leads the organization’s day-to-day operations, supported by a dedicated management team with expertise in program design, finance, monitoring and evaluation (M&E), gender, and climate resilience.

The organization operates under clear administrative structures, guided by robust policies including financial management, procurement, safeguarding, gender, and anti-fraud policies. RICE Ghana’s technical team ensures quality implementation, while its M&E unit tracks project outcomes using digital tools and participatory methods.

Financial accountability is ensured through regular audits, compliance with GRA regulations, and transparent reporting to donors and stakeholders. The management structure emphasizes teamwork, community engagement, and results-based planning, making it capable of delivering impactful and inclusive development programs across Northern Ghana.