AQUAYA INSTITUTE TO RENEW ITS WATER TESTING PROGRAM WITH WSMTS
The pilot water testing program run by Aquaya Institute throughout last year officially ended in January 2021. Community water systems in Kenyasi No.2, Ntotroso, Kensere, and Gambia partook in the pilot phase of the Water testing program in addition to the district assembly’s handpumps located in Kenyasi. The pilot program which was run in collaboration with the Ghana Water Company Limited, the Asutifi North District Assembly, and WSMT created an avenue for monthly water testing to be conducted on some boreholes and piped water systems within the district at a subsidized cost.
With the pilot phase coming to an end, Aquaya Institute embarked on a series of meetings with WSMT in these communities to ascertain their interest in continuing the monthly water testing initiative. This was particularly crucial as the pilot phase had the cost of testing subsidized up to 83% in some cases. All WSMT engaged have confirmed their interest to continue the monthly water testing initiative thus Aquaya will in the coming weeks review and renew contractual agreements with the District Assembly and Ghana Water Company to ensure water testing continues for the rest of the year.
AQUATABS DISTRIBUTION CONTINUES WITH COMMUNITY SENSITIZATION
The distribution of Aquatabs to WSMT in some communities in the district continued in the month of February. The Aquatabs which provided an extra layer of protection against water contamination remain essential in the efforts to ensure safely treated water is consumed by members of the community.
To foster the patronage of Aquatabs by members of rural communities like Panaba, Agravi, Gambia No.2, Kensere, and Goatifi, trained staff of the Assembly embarked on face-to-face community meetings to sensitize members on water safety and treatment. In urban centers however, Community Information Centers were employed to sensitize community members since face-to-face meetings would be challenging to organize.
Aquaya Institute will continue to track the patronage of Aquatabs by community members in the coming weeks and months to ascertain if sensitization efforts are resonating with community members.
PILOTING OF TARGETED SUBSIDY PROJECT IN WAMAHINSO
As part of piloting the Targeted Subsidy project in the Asutifi North District, community consultative sessions were held in Wamahinso to identify poor and vulnerable persons, who are also the target beneficiaries of the project. The consultative sessions and the identification process will be referenced to the LEAP list to verify if those identified were on the LEAP list and vice versa.
SANITATION AND HYGIENE SERVICES FOR HARD-TO-REACH
IRC in partnership with the Asutifi North District Assembly and World Vision international have commenced inception activities for the implementation of a new project targeted at providing sanitation and hygiene services for selected hard-to-reach communities and school in the Asutifi North District. The one-year project is financed by the Latter-day Saints Charity and is expected to be concluded by November 2021.
Through this project the implementing partners (IRC, WVI, and ANDA) and the project financier LDSC aim to develop WASH infrastructure in five schools, five rural communities, and sixty households, while building the capacity of thirty district officials and seventy-five service providers and stakeholders in Asutifi North district.
Infrastructure expected to be developed include 1 concrete tower, solar farm, and plumbing accessories & standpipe to serve two schools. Also, permanent handwashing stations and 6-seater KVIPs with allied facilities and changing room for girls would be developed in 5 schools. The project would also construct boreholes in 3 schools and five communities.
The implementing partners of the project undertook alignment and planning meetings in February towards the implementation of project activities in subsequent months.