World Vision Ghana, among other partners in collaboration with the Ahafo Regional Co-ordinating Council, is implementing the Ahafo Regional Integrated WASH Project in Asutifi North District and Asunafo North Municipality.
One of the key objectives of this project is to professionalize the management of water facilities across the two districts transitioning from community-based management to professional water service providers. This shift aims to enhance efficiency, accountability, and the long-term sustainability of water services.
Six community liaison teams have been formed to ensure community involvement and oversight in this new approach. As part of ongoing efforts, World Vision, in collaboration with the Asutifi North WashDesk team, has commenced a training program to equip these Community Liaison Teams with the necessary skills and knowledge tomonitor the activities of the Professional Water Service Provider.
The Community Liaison Teams will act as intermediaries between professional service providers
and their respective communities, ensuring greater transparency and accountability in water service delivery. Their role includes actively monitoring vendor activities, identifying challenges, and providing
constructive feedback to improve overall service management
Beyond monitoring, the Community Liaison Teams will lead outreach sensitization efforts to educate residents on the benefits of theprofessionalized water service approach. Through targeted awareness campaigns and engagement activities, they will encourage the adoption of improved water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) practices. Additionally, they will work to mobilize community support, ensuring that local residents play an active role in sustaining the operational effectiveness of the professional service provider.
The beneficiarycommunities for this training include Kensere, Atwidie, Gambia No.1, Kwadwo Nkrumah, Biaso,and Obengkrom. The participants are also being trained to demand quality services from the service providerwhile mobilizing their communities to ensure that private vendors remain
accountable. Additionally, the teams were assigned the immediate task of compiling a list of community members interested in household water connections, as the project aims to increase access to safely managed water services across the district.
The training also highlighted the important role the WashDesk has played insupporting the project in the past and how it remains a critical support system for community members. In cases where service providers are unresponsive to their duties, the WashDesk will continue to assist communities in escalating theirconcerns to ensure swift action is taken.
In an interview, Nana Gyamfi, a respected community leader, shared his optimism about the new approach, citing past challenges when water facilities were managed solely by community members.
"Previously,when the community managed the facilities, we often struggled with major
maintenance and ensuring regular service delivery due to a lack of technical
expertise and funds. This new strategy, involving private vendors, is a
game-changer. For instance, there was a time where the water pump in my
community broke down which took months to be repaired not because we did not
have the funds but did not know the right persons or service provider to fix it
promptly. With this new approach, vendors will ensure such issues are addressed
quickly and efficiently, which will greatly benefit the people," he explained
To get involved,share your experiences, or learn more about how professionalized water servicemanagement is improving communities, contact charles_waawula@wvi.org, World VisionGhana. Your voice and participation can help ensure sustainable and reliablewater services for all.