Ten communities in the Nkoranza South Municipality are on their way to taking control of their own development path, having received the requisite training and tools to realize their vision of the future.

This is in line with a partnership between Advocates for Community Alternative (ACA), a non-profit-making organization, and the Nkoranza South Municipal Assembly to implement the Facilitated Collective Action Process (FCAP) in these communities. It follows the successful piloting of the FCAP in Donkro Nkwanta, Nwoase, Kyeradeso and Salamkrom – all in Nkoranza South.

The additional communities, which include Kyekyewere, Akuma, Barnufour, Brahoho, Abuontem, Asuano, Nkwabeng, Bonsu, Akumsa Domase, and Bredi No 1, have successfully completed the planning phase of FCAP, which is also called Oman yie die in Ghana. Each of them has also developed a shared community vision and goals which enabled them to collectively identify projects that fall within the municipal assembly medium term development plans.

Projects

Some of the projects being implemented in the Nkoranza South under FCAP include the construction of a Junior High School block at Asuano, an Out-Patient Department (OPD) block for the Nkwabeng Clinic, as well as a social center project at Abuontem, Akuma, Brahoho and Akumsa Domase. Bredi Number One and Bonsu communities are expanding access to potable water while Barnufour and Kyekyewere communities are putting up Community-based Health Planning and Services (CHPS) compounds.

To enable the communities, execute their projects efficiently and effectively, they were facilitated to develop a project implementation action plan and budget. The implementation action plan and budget clearly outline the timelines and budget lines for the implementation of their projects.

ACA’s CDD program

ACA’s community-driven development program revolves around two key elements.  The first element, FCAP, encourages communities to create a common development vision and equips them with skills and financial resources – including a USD 9,000 microgrant – to pursue it.

ACA has sponsored CDD projects in Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, and Sierra Leone.  Our FCAP work has helped communities build key infrastructure, including clinics and community centers, and jumpstart collective enterprises, such as rice farms and black soap manufacturing.

The second element, Citizens’ Committee Network (CiCoNet), is ACA’s answer to the threat that our partner communities face from powerful economic interests.  Whereas FCAP gives communities hope for a better economic future, CiCoNet is an interface group of concerned citizens who help protect the communities’ development vision.  CiCoNet members are trained to speak with government officials and other stakeholders on behalf of their communities, raising concerns in ways that allow local authorities to help resolve key community concerns.

Credit: So Abapa Boateng, CDD Community Trainer in Nkoranza South Municipality, Bono East Region of Ghana