WaterAid Ghana's aim for this 5 year project is to spread equity and inclusion by addressing the water, sanitation, and hygiene needs of these neglected peoples in the rural and peripheral communities of Akuapem North and Yilo Krobo.
Narrative
WaterAid Ghana (WAG) and its partner, Akuapem Community Development Project (ACDEP), completed the project’s goal of achieving 100% access to water, sanitation, and hygiene by the targeted communities living in the Akuapem North and Yilo Krobo Districts. In the first year of this 5-year program, 1,500 people gained access to safe water through the construction of 10 hand dug wells, and 1,500 people gained access to effective sanitation with 150 household VIP latrines. Water and Sanitation Committees were formed to ensure effective management and sustainability of the project. They were formed in each of the 10 communities to carry out community level management of the projects. Mostly these committees are comprised of 7 members who were nominated by the communities themselves. Hygiene Promotion Volunteers were selected from among the WatSan committee members and also received training to be able to effectively carry out their duties.
Other Issues
Unusual and unexpected issues faced during project execution
Both WaterAid Ghana and its partner, ACDEP confirmed the importance of identifying relevant stakeholders and their needs in order to prevent potential challenges and ensure the project’s success. As a result of the full involvement of District Assemblies and community members in the initiation, execution and management of the intervention, the first year’s results were extremely successful.
Learnings
Knowledge of project and process for sharing
Challenges:
1.The community based Hygiene Promotion Volunteers working on the project are not normally paid any wages or salaries. This is primarily because their role is based on volunteerism. The challenge facing the project is how to motivate these volunteers to be able to effectively carry out their duties. Their work usually covers the entire lifespan of the project and is therefore very time and energy consuming.
2. A household latrine can not be considered complete and ready for use until a superstructure has been constructed. Superstructure construction falls under the responsibility of the beneficiary. This sometimes takes a lot of time to accomplish and can delay the project. Problems encountered included the household head’s inability to raise funds for the completion of the superstructures.
3. The project in Ankawani, in the Akuapem North District, was delayed due to the absence of an access road to the community. ACDEP had to spend time lobbying the District Assembly to construct an access road to the community to enable the project to start.
4. The principle of community participation is not always initially accepted by community members, particularly when they see that other NGOs simply provide communities with water points without such intensive community involvement. However, following their participation, some community members admit that their involvement in the projects enhanced the value that they place on projects and subsequently, the project’s sustainability.
Impact
People Getting Safe Drinking Water: 1500
In Akuapem North District, the following communities were part of the project:
Aboabo, Gbolo Kofi, Adawso Borebiaso, Ntatiaman, Ankwani
In Yilo Krobo District, Aboa Plau, Aboadaso, Nsutapong Bonya, Nsutapong Terponya, Nsuta Aprede
People Getting Sanitation: 1500
People Getting Other Benefits: 1500
WaterAid Ghana's hygiene promotion approach is based on three key aspects: safety of drinking water (collection, transportation, storage and handling), hand washing (before and after critical periods/events), and safe excreta disposal. Through the use of our hygiene promotion tools, SARAR and PHAST, WaterAid uses community interaction to enhance behavior change regarding the three key areas. The methods used are all based upon the communities' existing knowledge and practices and include practical demonstrations, puppet shows, hygiene promotion tiles, picture books, games, plays, posters and videos. WaterAid Ghana's aims to promote proper hygiene practices among 1,500 people in the first year, while aiming for hygiene behavior change of 40% in the target communities by the end of the five-year period.
