CEDE - Centre for Empathy and Development (CEDE

cENTER FOR

eMPATHY

AND dEVELOPMENT

Our Story

The Centre for Empathy and Development (CEDE) was founded in 2020 in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, initially as a volunteer group focused on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives. Recognizing the growing needs of local communities, CEDE became an officially registered Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in 2021 under the Companies Act 2019 (Act 992). Our mission is to provide technical and social support to local Community-Based Organizations (CBOs), governmental institutions, and water user groups, with a specific focus on vulnerable populations such as women and children.

With the backing of our Founder and Executive Director, Mr. Musah Sulemana, and generous voluntary support from individuals and corporations, CEDE has successfully implemented programs that reduce illiteracy, combat poverty, and improve health conditions in Northern Ghana.

OUR THEMATIC AREAS

Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH)

CEDE has been actively working to improve WASH standards in the Sagnarigu Municipality since 2020. We employ a non-subsidy approach known as Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) to engage communities in analyzing their sanitation needs and developing sustainable, practical solutions.

Key activities include:

Social norms campaigns
Community-triggering sessions
Support for sanitation service providers
Linking communities with sanitation financing options
Formation of Mutual Savings and Loans Associations (MSLAs)
By fostering collective responsibility and mobilization, we are helping communities take ownership of their sanitation issues for long-term change.

Health Education and Wellbeing
Sexual and Reproductive Health Rights (SRHR)

CEDE’s health programs focus on empowering women, girls, and young adults with the knowledge and resources they need to make informed health decisions. Our primary aim is to address issues such as sexual rights, teenage pregnancies, sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and unsafe abortions.

Through collaborations with community volunteers, we:

Educate young women and persons with disabilities on sexual health
Provide access to healthcare and services related to sexual wellbeing
Promote safe sexual practices and early treatment for STIs
Advocate for the prevention of unsafe abortions

Our school and community programs create a safe, informed environment for health education and support.

Capacity Building and Training

The organization has been offering training SMEs and sole-proprietors to enhance their capacities and competitiveness, improve quality and productivity, increase access to markets, and technology.We adopt a multi-faceted approach to addressing gaps in technology, the marketing challenges and the skills shortage. In addition, the organization provides entrepreneurial training, through hands on projects, allowing businesses to develop their skills in a supportive and inclusive learning environment thereby equipping them with the necessary business acumen to start and manage their own business and ventures successfully.
CEDE Ghana takes pride in it’s experienced and dedicated instructors, who bring real world expertise to the classroom.With our practical and well- developed curriculum , we are committed to empowering individuals and organizations into self-reliance, economic growth, and sustainable livelihood within the community.

Join Our Journey

Be part of a mission that brings real, sustainable change to communities in Northern Ghana. Support our initiatives or learn more about how you can get involved

oUR MISSION VISION AND GOAL

oUR VISION

To create a society that provides equal opportunity for all regardless of background, sex or religion.

OUR MISSION

To develop locally appropriate solutions to address issues of vulnerability, ignorance and disease through advocacy, social norms campaigns, and legal education.

GOAL

To establish structures that would trigger a discourse on issues of vulnerability, ignorance, and disease within the next 5 years.

MEET OUR TEAM

Our dedicated and passionate team is at the heart of CEDE’s mission to create lasting change in local communities.Supported by a committed team of seven professionals, including our Finance Manager, Senior Program Officer, Human Resources Manager, ICT Officer, and Project Officers, who collectively bring expertise in financial management, program coordination, human resources, and technology to ensure the smooth operation and success of CEDE’s initiatives.