Citizens’ Watch Q1 2026

The latest edition highlights ongoing efforts to promote youth leadership, better public health, sustainable cocoa production and responsive policymaking.

The cover story focuses on young advocates trained through the Power to Choose Project, who are helping communities discuss sexual and reproductive health issues more openly. Their work is challenging stigma surrounding menstruation, gender-based violence, early marriage and reproductive health decision-making.

This edition also covers the Ghana Civil Society Cocoa Platform’s new action plan to improve cocoa farmers’ livelihoods, the regional response to Cocoa Swollen Shoot Virus Disease, and SEND GHANA’s advocacy for mandatory Front-of-Pack Warning Labels on foods high in salt, sugar and unhealthy fats.

Together, these stories demonstrate how citizen participation, evidence-based advocacy and regional collaboration can contribute to healthier communities, stronger livelihoods and more accountable public policies.