Communities Involvement in the Provision and Management of Rural Water in Ghana
Keywords:
Water Management, Sanitation, Rural Water, Mechanization, Community Based ApproachAbstract
Water is a vital component of sustainable development in every community as access to potable sources of water ensures the well being of people. Access to safe water is a fundamental human right and thus enshrined in declarations and conventions on human rights. However, at the start of the new millennium, over one billion people around the world did not have access to a safe and reliable supply of water. In order to improve upon the supply of safe water to rural communities, Ghana has adopted a Community- Based Approach which focuses on decentralization and community management of water. This paper is based on a survey of water management in three rural settlements in the Ashanti region of Ghana namely Aboaso, Abenkyem and Juansa and assesses the level of involvement of the local people. The aim is to identify the various strategies used by communities in accessing and managing rural water. Data were collected through personal interviews and observation. The data were analysed qualitatively. The study identified the following to be crucial in improving upon the community based approach and enhancing community’s involvement in the provision and management of rural water facilities; community sensitization programmes, capacity building for the WATSAN committee, commitment at the top level (Political Commitment), mechanization of boreholes as a management and maintenance mechanism and the creation of an enabling environment to attract private entities.
References
Asante, F., Birner, R. and Yan, S. (2010). Opportunities and Challenges of Community-Based Rural Drinking Supplies: An Analysis of Water and Sanitation Committees in Ghana. Environment and Production Technology Division Washington, D.C.: International Food Policy Research Institute.
Atipoka, F. (2008). Water Supply Challenges in Rural Ghana. Desalination, 248 (1-3), 15/11/2009
Baur, P. and Woodhouse. M. (2009). Enhancing private sector in rural water supply: An action oriented study. <.http://www.gwclim.org/presentations/session1/baur.pdf>. Accessed on December 17, 2011.
Eguavoen, I. (2008a). Drinking water policy, water rights and allocation practice in rural northern Ghana. Paper presented at the 33rd Water, Engineering and Development Center International Conference, April 7–11. Accra, Ghana.
Engel, S., M. Iskandarani and M. del Pilar Useche (2005). Improved water supply in the Ghanaian Volta basin: Who uses it and who participates in community decision-making? Environment and Production Technology Division Discussion Paper 129. Washington, D.C.: International Food Policy Research Institute
Kleemeier, E. (2002). Rural Water Sector Reform in Ghana: A Major Change in Policy and Structure. Blue Gold Field Note 2. Water and Sanitation Program, World Bank, Washington, D.C.
Lane, J. (2004). Ghana, Lesotho, and South Africa: Regional expansion of water supply in rural areas.
Paper presented at the Scaling Up Poverty Reduction: A Global Learning Process and
Conference, May 25–27, in Shanghai.
Ministry of Water Resources Works and Housing (2007). Ghana National Water Policy. Accra:
Government of Ghana.
Ministry of Water Resources Works and Housing (2009). Ghana National Water Policy. Accra:
Government of Ghana.
UN Committee on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights (2003). General Comment 15. The right to
water. Twenty-ninth session, 2003.
WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene). Technical Report 66. Washington, D.C.: United States Agency for International Development,
Wood, M. (2000). Water, Sanitation and Hygiene: Challenges of the Millenniums. Uganda: Managing Small Towns and Water Supply.
