The Canadian International Development Agency

The Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) is an organization that administers foreign aid programs in developing countries, and operates in partnership with other Canadian organizations in the public and private sectors as well as other international organizations.

It was formed in 1968 by the Canadian government under Pierre Trudeau. In March 2013, the Conservative government announced that CIDA would be folded into the Department of Foreign Affairs, and the organizations renamed as the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development.

CIDA reports to the Parliament of Canada through the minister for International Cooperation. Its mandate is to "support sustainable development in developing countries in order to reduce poverty and contribute to a more secure, equitable, and prosperous world”. CIDA has its headquarters at 200 Promenade du Portage in Gatineau, Quebec.

CIDA has supported programs relating directly to the treatment of STDs in developing countries. It also cites basic education and child protection as priorities in the social development of countries that it aids.

With a focus on issues such as climate change, land degradation, and water supply, CIDA sought to help developing nations maintain healthy ecosystems. CIDA was a partner in the Canada Iraq Marshlands Initiative. For example, CIDA was a major donor to the International LUBILOSA Programme: which developed a biological pesticide for locust control, in support of small-holder farmers in the Sahel.

CIDA strove for human rights, democracy, and good governance. The agency also supports gender equality.

CIDA supports over hundred research projects in Ghana and some of these may include; Building Capacity for Sustainable Livelihoods and Health, Food Security Through Cooperatives in Northern Ghana, Resilient and Sustainable Livelihoods Transformation in Northern Ghana, Greater Rural Opportunities for Women (GROW), Land Administration Project - Phase II, Enhanced Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Services in Schools and Communities in Ghana, Reducing Maternal and Child Under nutrition, The Leyaata (“Rescue Us”) Project to Reduce Maternal, Infant and Child Mortality, WUSC - Bibiani-Ahnwiaso-Bekwai District Assembly Development Project, Assistance to Ghanaian Food-Insecure Households in Northern Ghana, Ghana - Program Support Unit - 2010-2014, Food Security and Environment Facility, District Development Facility, Food and Agriculture Sector Development, Overall Growth and Poverty Reduction, Technical Assistance for the Growth and Poverty Reduction Program, Ghana Advisory Services II, District-Wide Assistance Transition Project, Agro-forestry Practices to Enhance Resource-Poor Livelihoods.