Buy-in Forum WOCAN- Foerstry Commission Ghana
REPORT ON
FOLLOW-UP CONSULTATIVE MEETING ON THE WAY FORWARD (BUY-IN FORUM) BETWEEN EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT TEAM, GENDER FOCAL PERSONS, CHANGE AGENTS AND RESOURCE PERSONS
24th October, 2008, Forestry Commission Corporate Headquarters Complex
FIRST ACTIVITY ON FORESTRY COMMISSION’S WORK PLAN
Introduction
In order to kick start the Action Plan for mainstreaming gender into the Forestry Commission’s structure and operations the Change Agents decided to hold a consultative meeting on the way forward also dubbed a buy-in forum. This formed the first activity on the Work Plan drawn by the Change Agents
The main purpose of this meeting was to meet with senior management including the Chief Executive Officer, Executive Directors, Directors, Heads of Department and Gender Focal Persons to:
· Introduce the action and work plans
· Seek comments and suggestions as to the way forward
· Seek staff’s acceptance and
· Assign responsibilities
WOCAN offered to fund this meeting dubbed:
“Sensitisation Workshop on Gender Mainstreaming in the Forestry Commission”
The meeting came off on Friday, 24th October, 2008 at the Forestry Commission’s Corporate Headquarters complex board room.
Attendance
In attendance was the Chief Executive Officer, Prof. Nii Ashie Kotey, the Ag. Executive Director of the Forest Services Division, Mr. M. O. Abebrese, some Directors and/or their representatives, Heads of Department and/or their representatives, Gender Focal Persons numbering 24 and Prof. Elizabeth Ardayfio-Shandorf representing WOCAN. Please see attached attendance sheet.
Opening
The meeting began at 10am with a prayer by Charles Dei-Amoah, Manager, Timber Allocation Unit. Please find attached the programme.
The Chief Executive Officer in welcoming the gathering intimated that there was the need to increase the number of women in management positions and let their voices be heard. He also realized that the Forestry Commission was perceived to be a man’s domain. He thanked WOCAN for their support in the Forestry Commission’s drive towards gender mainstreaming and particular for providing funds towards the organization of this meeting.
Presentations
3 presentations were made:
1. Objectives of the workshop by Mr. M. O. Abebrese
2. WOCAN by Prof. Elizabeth Ardayfio-Shandorf
3. Forestry Commission Workplan and Action plan by Afua Adu-Boahene
Please find attached copies of the presentation
Issues Arising
Several issues were raised at the meeting including:
· The presentation did not bring out the underlying problems that informed the development of the action plan on Gender Mainstreaming
· The structure of the proposed Gender desk seemed to suggest that it was separated from the structure and functions of the Forestry Commission.
· Gender mainstreaming in an organization was an evolution which would take its own course. Just as the nursing sector was female dominated with men facing challenges, so was the Forestry sector male dominated with females facing challenges
· There was the need to revive the Association of Women in Forestry
· Why should the issue of Gender be considered when the Commission was grappling with other pressing matters that hinge on its survival and why should resources be committed to it?
· Both men and women have been provided with an equal platform or fair opportunity for development
· The principle of equity is being applied in the Commission unless proven otherwise
The Way Forward
The following directive was given by the Chief Executive Officer to move the process forward:
A second meeting be organized to clearly bring out the burning issues of gender or the lack of it that the action/workplans would address and which would clearly show the goal that would be achieved or the state to which the Forestry Commission in terms of Gender Mainstreaming is to was to get to as a result of the implementation of the action plan. It should also bring out how gender mainstreaming would make the Forestry Commission more efficient or effective in carrying out its mandate or how gender mainstreaming would be beneficial to its staff and the country as a whole.
The meeting is to take place by the end of November when the CEO would be available.
The outcome of the meeting would form the basis to justify the FC’s voting of funds towards carrying out this exercise.
The change agent(s) was therefore charged to bring out all the problems that were outlined by the Consultant in 2001-3 that informed the development of the action plan. In addition, establish whether these problems still pertain in this present time to make the implementation of the action plan still relevant or appropriate. Then, to outline the desired goal or destination to be reached by the Forestry Commission.