In rural areas of Ghana, communities face significant challenges in accessing quality services, including health, water, sanitation, education, and agricultural support. Historically, these challenges have been compounded by a lack of effective engagement in local governance and policy decisions, which are crucial to creating solutions tailored to the specific needs of communities. Addressing these issues requires a holistic, inclusive approach that emphasizes local participation, accountability, and sustainable development.
In response to these challenges, RACED Ghana, under the support of World Vision Ghana, has been implementing the Citizen Voice and Action (CVA) initiative in the East Gonja Municipality and Zabzugu District. This transformative project has been successful in strengthening community advocacy, fostering positive relationships between stakeholders, and enabling local communities to engage in decision-making processes, particularly concerning public service delivery. By mobilizing local communities to actively participate in governance, the CVA initiative is shifting the dynamics of how communities interact with duty-bearers and stakeholders, leading to improvements in their well-being.
The Citizen Voice and Action (CVA) Initiative
The CVA initiative seeks to enhance community participation in governance by raising awareness of government policies, facilitating interactions between communities and local government agencies, and advocating for better services. CVA groups across the East Gonja Municipality and Zabzugu District have been working to address specific community needs by organizing stakeholder dialogues, monitoring services such as health, water, sanitation, and food security, and collaborating to improve service delivery.
Advocacy Challenges in East Gonja Municipality
The CVA project in the East Gonja Municipality primarily aimed to assess and address the advocacy challenges faced by local communities. In the five participating communities—Adamupe, Yakubupe, Mariche, Naamu, and Kuwani—RACED Ghana undertook a thorough assessment of the capacity of community-based organizations (CBOs) and CVA groups to advocate for and influence local policies. The project provided vital technical support to these groups, helping them strengthen their organizational structures and skills to conduct effective advocacy.
One of the core activities was assisting CVA groups in conducting stakeholder analyses, which enabled them to identify key duty-bearers within local and national governance structures. By developing a comprehensive understanding of the local power dynamics, these groups were better equipped to engage with the right authorities to secure favorable outcomes for the communities.
RACED Ghana also organized interface meetings between CVA groups, government officials, and other stakeholders. These discussions provided a forum for community members to raise concerns about pressing issues, such as child protection, food security, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH). Importantly, they also facilitated collaborative action through which action plans were formulated to tackle identified problems. The communities prioritized areas that would significantly improve their health and socioeconomic conditions, including establishing child protection systems, enhancing access to food security, and improving WASH practices.
These meetings were fundamental in improving communication and understanding between duty-bearers and the communities they serve, ultimately leading to better decision-making processes and policies.
Water and Sanitation in Zabzugu District
While advocacy efforts in East Gonja focused on strengthening community engagement in policy discussions, RACED Ghana’s initiative in the Zabzugu District placed a strong emphasis on improving water access and sanitation practices. Water availability and management are pressing concerns in Zabzugu, which consists of several communities grappling with limited access to clean drinking water and inadequate sanitation infrastructure. This lack of access to safe water directly impacts health, with widespread issues such as waterborne diseases exacerbating the already challenging health outcomes in the region.
RACED Ghana worked with 16 communities across the district, including Kukpalgu, Mognegu B, Jangbogdo, Gmagundo, Olmoaldo, Zoya, Zurkurli A and B, and many others, to enhance their water management practices. The activities started with robust community mobilization and sensitization campaigns, which focused on informing individuals about the importance of proper water facility management, the safe transportation and storage of water, and the treatment of water to ensure safety. In communities like Kukpalgu and Mognegu B, the lack of awareness regarding water treatment and proper hygiene practices had resulted in unsafe drinking water sources. By educating residents on how to collect, store, and treat water safely, RACED Ghana made significant strides in improving water-related health outcomes.
As part of the water access initiative, RACED Ghana conducted comprehensive assessments of existing water facilities in these communities. They also focused on inspecting water fetching points, where critical improvements could be made. This process allowed the organization to better understand the challenges faced by the residents and pinpoint necessary changes to improve water quality. Through these efforts, the residents gained insight into safe and sustainable practices that ensured the longevity of water facilities and the health of those utilizing them.
In addition to sensitization programs, RACED Ghana provided ongoing support and monitored practices to guarantee that communities continued to benefit from sustainable water management practices. With 1,835 direct beneficiaries, including 792 males and 1,043 females, these efforts contributed to a broad improvement in both water quality and overall community health.
Key Outcomes of the CVA Initiative
The Citizen Voice and Action (CVA) initiative in both the East Gonja Municipality and the Zabzugu District has had far-reaching impacts on the communities involved. In East Gonja, the project strengthened CVA groups and empowered communities to advocate for improved child protection, food security, and water, sanitation, and hygiene services. Through sustained efforts, community members have become more engaged in the decision-making processes and governance structures. As a result, their voices have been heard, leading to better outcomes in areas that directly affect their lives.
One of the highlights of the East Gonja project was the development of actionable plans that targeted key issues such as child welfare and WASH. With a clear and structured approach, the CVA members not only identified the problems but also mobilized for solutions, demonstrating the power of effective advocacy and collaboration. The improved stakeholder engagement also meant that decision-makers now understood the real needs of these communities, which ultimately translated to better public service delivery. The positive outcomes reached 1,200 direct beneficiaries and indirectly impacted over 14,000 individuals in the East Gonja Municipality, whose lives have been bettered as a result of these efforts.
In Zabzugu, RACED Ghana’s focus on water management yielded substantial progress. By educating community members about the importance of safe water management practices and ensuring that water facilities were properly maintained, the organization helped the district avoid many of the common issues associated with unsafe water sources. The project resulted in increased community awareness of safe water and sanitation practices and directly benefitted 1,835 individuals, thus improving water access for the targeted communities.
Both initiatives in East Gonja and Zabzugu reflect the commitment of RACED Ghana to sustainable development and community empowerment. The success of these projects lies not only in the direct results but also in the long-term impact they will have on strengthening governance structures and building resilience within these communities.
Challenges and Lessons Learned
While both projects have been successful, there have been notable challenges in ensuring sustained engagement and adapting to the varied needs of diverse communities. In East Gonja, achieving effective stakeholder engagement required overcoming entrenched bureaucratic systems, which sometimes hindered the timely execution of policies. Additionally, the mobilization of local communities to actively participate in advocacy efforts was a delicate process, requiring trust-building with local leaders and a clear demonstration of the benefits of involvement.
In Zabzugu, managing water resources across multiple remote communities proved to be logistically challenging, and overcoming local skepticism about the efficacy of water treatment methods required consistent follow-up and practical demonstrations. However, through targeted sensitization and continued support, RACED Ghana was able to mitigate these challenges and ensure that communities were well-equipped to carry forward the initiatives independently.
Conclusion
The Citizen Voice and Action initiative in the East Gonja Municipality and Zabzugu District is a testament to the power of community-driven development. By fostering local advocacy, improving community involvement in governance, and strengthening service delivery, RACED Ghana is contributing to the creation of more resilient, sustainable, and equitable communities. As communities continue to benefit from improved governance, healthcare, water management, and sanitation, the wider impact will be felt across the region, further strengthening the foundations of sustainable development in Ghana. RACED Ghana’s approach offers valuable lessons in how strategic partnerships and community engagement can drive change and improve lives in rural Ghana.
