We must re-establish the link between finance and holistic development to drive sustainable development. For Africa, this means using our natural, human, and financial resources, not just to generate wealth, but to reinvest in the future of our people and communities. Botswana

We talk a lot about economic policy, about GDP and inflation and all these statistics, but when we ask anybody what kind of life you want to live, what kind of life will give you fulfilment and happiness, they are basic things like water. https://t.co/xqqaUvL5z4

Gender and social policy by @DzodziTsikata, @MarionOuma and Faustina Obeng Adomaa Watch here: https://t.co/gY9Zq8PYDT

Colonial Legacies of Social Policy by @NAnyidoho and @kpessawhyte. Watch here: https://t.co/GsHOM3Zmzy

Day 1 closed with renewed energy for collaborative, inclusive, and gender-equitable social policy in Africa. Join us right now for Day 2! https://t.co/GsHOM3YOK0 #GETSPA2025 #TransformativeSocialPolicy

Emerging Themes from Day 1: - Policy with people, not for them - Integrating informal & community systems - Centering gender & challenging patriarchy - Expanding civic participation in policymaking - Imagining a new GETSPA concept for non-state social provisioning

Bembir reminded us: informal welfare systems aren’t just survival mechanisms; they’re governing systems. #GETSPA2025

Presentations from: Getachew Endris (Informal social protection & gender innovation) Chikapa Mercy (Austerity & precarious health work in Malawi) Peter Bembir (Informal welfare in conflict zones)

@NewmanTekwa Discussants noted that both formal and informal systems can reproduce gender inequalities; transformative policy must confront patriarchy across all structures. #GenderJustice #SocialPolicy

Session 3: Exploring formal & informal policy systems: Cameroon: Fragmented social protection (Omgba & Sadi) Ghana: Informal welfare systems (Frimpong) AfCFTA & gender equity (@NewmanTekwa)

Discussion themes: - Ethical engagement with marginalised groups - Conceptual clarity on “transformative” policy - The role of taxation in redistributive justice

Session 2: Papers examined housing, child welfare & old-age poverty: Côte d’Ivoire: Inclusive housing (Bohoussou) Cameroon: Street children as partners in development (Ghislain) Ghana: Universal pensions for informal workers (Opoku)

Discussant Dr. Hania Sholkamy highlighted cross-cutting issues: fiscal constraints, the role of the state, and the need for reflexive, inclusive social policy analysis. #GETSPA2025

@UnivofGh @IASUG @DzodziTsikata @AdelleBlackett Session 1: Papers explored care policy, parental leave & education across Africa. Kenya: Neoliberal vs. solidaristic care frameworks (@MarionOuma) SA & Mauritius: Gender norms & parental leave (Ramtohul & @NewmanTekwa) DRC: Free education, gender inequality & GBV (Kuditshini)

@UnivofGh @IASUG @DzodziTsikata @AdelleBlackett traced social policy’s evolution from colonial legacies to financialized welfare systems, calling for reimagined trade frameworks (like AfCFTA) as social, not just economic, agreements. #SocialPolicy #AfCFTA

@UnivofGh @IASUG @DzodziTsikata Prof. @blackettadelle keynote on “Thinking Transnationally: Social Policy Beyond Seasons of Discontent”, urged a transnational, solidarity-based approach to social policy.

@UnivofGh @IASUG Prof. @DzodziTsikata (GETSPA PI) thanked partners & participants, highlighting GETSPA’s research on housing, street children & debt crises. As GETSPA enters its final year, she called for reflection on its intellectual future. #GETSPA2025

@UnivofGh Dr. Samuel A. Ntewusu (Director, @IASUG) stressed that Africa’s crossroads offer opportunities for justice-oriented social policy; reaffirming IAS’s commitment to Pan-African ideals.

Prof. Joseph Yaro (Provost, @UnivofGh) applauded GETSPA’s leadership in advancing African research, advocacy, and faculty collaboration at global fora like #WSSD2. #GETSPA2025

Gender Equitable & Transformative Social Policy for Africa (GETSPA) 3rd Annual Conference — Day 1 Highlights (11 Nov 2025) A day of reflection, critical dialogue, and forward-looking ideas on Africa’s social policy futures.👇 #GETSPA2025 #TransformativeSocialPolicy #Africa

Day 2! We are discussing Enhancing social wellbeing and retirement welfare for African footballers; The discontinuity of social intervention policies in Argentina and Transformative social policies in Singapore and Morocco. Join us here: https://t.co/GsHOM3YOK0