Considering the challenges related to health systems strengthening interventions (HSS) being spread out across the three different GHS/MoH grants, the task team recommended to combine all HSS activities under a separate grant. During a subsequent review meeting, the CCM voted for a separate HSS strategy thereby postponing the decision if HSS should be implemented by a Principal or a Sub Recipient.
However, building Resilient and Sustainable Systems for Health (RSSH) goes beyond health systems strengthening:
The significantly reduced allocation of 194 million USD is likely to affect the budget of the RSSH component over-proportionally. According to information of the Global Fund, about 150m USD will have to be earmarked for the procurement and distribution of test kits, medication and various health products. Furthermore, it is proposed to dedicate 9m USD for interventions targeted at key populations.
This leaves about 35m USD for program management, training, surveys, human resources, M&E etc. across the three disease components as well as RSSH. Considering that the current HSS budget alone amounts to more than 27m USD, it will not be possible to negotiate a similar RSSH budget for 2018-20.
The Country Dialogue is a continuous transparent open and inclusive conversation with people responding to and affected by either of the three diseases. This means that any stakeholder in Ghana shall have the opportunity to get information on the funding request development and to contribute his or her opinions on the best way to invest the available resources.
The Country Dialogue serves as the basis for the development of the funding request and shall
Identify the needs of the people in need
Diagnose and remove human right barriers to accessing health services
Determine the budget split across the three disease / health systems / community systems strengthening components
Prioritize those interventions that will have the most impact
Recommend implementation arrangements
Identify the funding gap and build resource mobilization efforts.
While the Country Dialogue is a fundamental requirement for any grant application with the Global Fund (CCM Eligibility Requirement 1), it is in Ghana's own best interest to involve a wide range of stakeholders to develop a robust funding request that meets the needs of the people in need. For this reason, the Country Dialogue must be country owned and led.
Stakeholders from the following three groups shall be involved in the Country Dialogue:
Development partners
Governmental and quasi-governmental organizations
Civil society organizations
While most of these groups are already represented on the CCM, the country dialogue is meant to give any stakeholder the opportunity to make his or her voice heard and to directly provide feedback on the funding request drafts and the subsequent program implementation. All stakeholders are encouraged to voice their comments, recommendations or concerns via the CCM member representing their constituencies or directly to the CCM via email.
The country dialogue shall not stop with the submission of the funding requests. It shall be maintained during grant making as well as during program implementation.
