The Centre for Social Justice (CSJ) is set to deepen the national conversation on financial inclusion and social protection for informal sector workers as it hosts the second edition of its regional stakeholder dialogue in Tamale on Thursday, October 16, 2025.

Themed “Bridging the Gap: Financial Inclusion & Social Protection for Informal Sector Workers,” the Tamale forum follows the successful Kumasi session held in August, which brought together farmers, traders, and regulators to tackle long-standing challenges in Ghana’s informal economy.

The Kumasi dialogue uncovered pressing issues — from unaffordable loan collateral and prohibitive interest rates to insurance schemes that fail to protect small-scale traders and farmers in times of crisis.

Building on these insights, the Tamale session will convene women smallholder farmers, representatives of financial and insurance institutions, civil society groups, and government agencies from the Northern and Upper East Regions.

The objective is to co-create practical and inclusive solutions that make financial services more accessible and responsive to the realities of Ghana’s informal workforce.

The Northern Regional Minister, Hon. Ali Adolf John, will deliver the keynote address, highlighting government’s renewed commitment to empowering smallholder farmers and traders through inclusive social protection and financial programs.

His participation reflects growing recognition that sustainable national development depends on integrating informal workers into the country’s formal economic and financial systems.

The event will be chaired by Prof. Alex Manu, Executive Director of CSJ, with moderation by Prisca Ansah, Mrs. Bashiratu Kamal, and Alhassan Haruna.

According to CSJ, insights gathered from both the Kumasi and Tamale regional dialogues will be consolidated into a comprehensive policy paper featuring evidence-based recommendations.

These proposals will be presented at a Grand National Policy Dialogue in Accra later this year, engaging government officials, regulators, and private sector leaders on concrete strategies to enhance financial inclusion and social protection nationwide.

“This is about more than conversation — it’s about accountability,” said Prisca Ansah, Project Lead at CSJ. “Stakeholders who attend in Tamale will help shape a policy agenda that directly responds to the needs of Ghana’s informal sector.”

The initiative is supported by the Star Ghana Foundation, with funding from the Hewlett Foundation, under the Action for Voice, Influence, and Inclusive Development (AVID II) project.

The program seeks to advance advocacy for fair, inclusive financial systems and equitable social protection frameworks that recognize the contribution and vulnerabilities of Ghana’s informal workers — particularly women traders and smallholder farmers.