Who We Are: GAIT II
Government Accountability Improves Trust II (GAIT II)
GAIT II was a USAID-funded project (2004-2009) which worked to strengthen civic involvement and community advocacy for quality education. EQUALL and GAIT II worked in a complementary way where each project contributed to the achievement of both individual and collective goals in order to maximise sustainable benefits for all partners. The objectives of the collaboration of the two projects included:
- improve levels of participation in the management and implementation of development initiatives
- improve access to and quality of education, as evidenced by increased pupil literacy rates
- enhance accountability and transparency in educational management through District Education Office, community and civil society collaboration in school management
- ensure sustainability by supporting partners to build networks and increase management capacities for improving multi-sector development
- ensure effective decentralization, through improved collaboration between the District Assembly and the district Education Office in education delivery
- promote effective mobilization, utilization and accountability of resources for improved service delivery
- enhance capacities of citizens to advocate and that of district authorities to be responsive to citizens’ requests.
GAIT II worked with government institutions and civil society organizations. In particular, the project worked through the Institute of Local Government Studies (ILGS) and with the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and Environment. In addition, GAIT II partnered with the Ghana Education Service as well as civil society groups at the district level.
One objective of the GAIT II project was to help the District Assembly increase its democratic practices. GAIT II facilitated interactions such as public forums, town hall meetings and other public sessions that allowed the District Assembly to respond to citizen concerns about education. These efforts were expected to contribute to quality education.
GAIT II implemented activities in 25 districts and has reached hundreds of school communities to encourage them to take a more active role in improving their schools.
