As part its commitment to promoting sustainable community water management, a knowledge-sharing session was organized by the Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC) to enable community leaders and water management stakeholders to exchange experiences and identify practical solutions to challenges affecting rural water systems.
The initiative followed ISODEC-led documentary that highlighted the situation in Kyeakor, a community in the Mfantseman Municipal Assembly that manages its own water supply through a community-based water system.
The documentary revealed several challenges affecting the sustainability of the system, including limited access to water as the community continues to expand.
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While the population has grown, the existing water infrastructure has not been extended to serve newly developed areas, leaving some residents without reliable access to safe water.
The documentary also identified governance and financial management challenges, including weak revenue generation and the absence of a strong and effective Water Board to oversee the operation and maintenance of the water system.
Recognizing the value of peer learning, ISODEC put together an exchange visit between representatives from the Kyeakor community and members of the New Abirim Water Board, whose community-managed water system has demonstrated effective governance and operational practices.
The engagement brought together Kyeakor’s chief, Assembly member, Water Board representatives, and other community members to discuss the challenges facing their water system.
Members of the New Abirim Water Board shared their experiences in managing community water services, highlighting approaches to governance, financial sustainability, infrastructure maintenance, and community participation.
During the interactive discussions, participants explored practical strategies that could be adapted to strengthen water management in Kyeakor.
The New Abirim team, represented by Mr Ibrahim Haruna and Mr Clement Amoah and also provided recommendations on establishing effective leadership structures, improving revenue collection, and promoting community ownership to ensure the long-term sustainability of the water system.
According to Mr Michael Tettey, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer at ISODEC, the exchange session underscored the importance of collaboration and peer learning in addressing local water management challenges, while creating opportunities for communities to learn directly from one another.
Participants expressed their sincere gratitude to ISODEC and the New Abirim Team for providing them with the opportunity to learn from their experiences and best practices. They noted that the knowledge and practical insights gained during the engagement had broadened their understanding and equipped them with valuable skills and ideas that they could apply in their communities.
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