The WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) 2015 report estimates that 663 million people in the world still lack improved drinking water sources including unprotected wells and springs and surface water. It further estimates that more than six million in Ghana’s rural areas and small towns do not have access to safe drinking water.
In an effort to help the cocoa growing community of Achiachen, in the Sefwi Wiawso district of Ghana, the International Cocoa Initiative (ICI) established the Community Child Protection Committee (CCPC). On top of their action plan was ensuring sustainability of the community’s water supply system.
ICI facilitated for the provision of technical expert services to install the new water system while the beneficiaries supported by volunteering to put up the concrete structure for the water tank.
To make Achiachen responsible for the construction and management of their own water supply system and to make the system financially sustainable, CCPCs agreed with the rest of the community leaders on a pay-as-you-fetch module to operate the facility.
Charged with the responsibility of facilitating the periodic monitoring of the water quality analysis done by the Ghana Water Company, the CCPC employed a representative to operate and manage the water system.
Currently, the water facility generates enough revenue from sales to cover operational and maintenance costs. After the first four months of operation, sales accrued from the water system was used to settle the monthly electricity bills of the water facility, the construction of a new concrete pad and the installation of two more outlets. Part of the sales made was also used to repair the water facility when it developed minor faults as a result of frequent power cuts.
The community currently has accrued more than GHC400.00, which is being used to support Achiachen’s educational infrastructure.