The Executive Director of NORSAAC, Alhassan Mohammed Awal, has announced that the organization has directly supported 54,538 individuals through its livelihood interventions between January and June 2025, despite severe funding challenges resulting from international aid withdrawal.
Speaking during the organization’s mid-year review meeting in Tamale, Mr. Awal emphasized that the figures represent more than statistics — they reflect lives meaningfully touched and transformed.
“From January to June this year, we have reached 54,538 lives across our programs directly. But numbers alone do not tell the story — behind each statistic is a face,” he stated.
He expressed concern over the negative impact of shrinking donor support, revealing that NORSAAC has suffered a 70% budget cut due to the withdrawal of international assistance, particularly from the United States.
“The city opposition has stripped 30% of our external talent. And global peace dynamics forced us to make hard choices. The withdrawal of the U.S.A. from the development space affected us severely, leading to over 70% budget cuts,” he noted.
Despite these challenges, NORSAAC continues to deliver on its mission. The Northern Regional Minister, Ali Adolf John, who attended the event as a special guest, praised the organization for its dedication to youth empowerment, women’s advancement, and inclusive development.
“For years, NORSAAC has been at the forefront of championing youth empowerment, women’s advancement, and inclusive development for those too often left behind,” the Minister said.
He further commended the alignment between NORSAAC’s livelihood initiatives and the Government’s Women’s Development Bank initiative, which seeks to enhance economic opportunities for women and promote grassroots resilience.
“Let me be clear, the partnership between Government and civil society is not a matter of convenience but a strategic imperative. Over the past six months, we have witnessed the power of collaboration,” he added.
The review meeting brought together civil society actors, development partners, and government representatives to assess the organization’s performance in the first half of the year and strategize for the months ahead.
Source:Fiilafmonline/Walkiyatu
