Perceived impact of training in Ghana implemented by Akuapem community development programme (ACDEP) on community management of rural water and sanitation facilities.

Abstract

Provision and management of water and sanitation facilities is a major challenge in developing countries and governments in these countries are unable to deliver, manage and maintain basic infrastructure for their growing populations. This study explored participants’ perceived impact of water and sanitation committee training implemented by Akuapem Community Development Programme (ACDEP) on community management of rural water and sanitation facilities. The study aimed at assessing participants’ satisfaction  with respect to the general organization of the training, what has been learnt, how the knowledge gained is being applied, and evidence in the community that the WATSAN committee members are performing their roles. Eighty respondents selected from twenty (20) communities were interviewed for the study. The data is presented in simple statistical charts including pie chart and bar graphs generated from the Statistical Package for Social Scientists (SPSS), computer software used for data analysis.  The results indicated that the training was very useful and relevant in managing the WATSAN facilities provided in the communities and participants are satisfied with the way ACDEP organised the training. The committee members were also observed to experience some challenges in performing their roles and responsibilities.   Based on the results, it is recommended that ACDEP organise a retraining programme and ensure occasional monitoring visits to the old communities. ACDEP should also put in place systems that will ensure that every training programme is evaluated using scientific methods and well documented for future use.

Key Words: water and sanitation Committee, Community Management of Rural Water and Sanitation, Sustainability of Rural Water and sanitation Facilities, Akuapem Community Development Programme and Community Water and Sanitation Agency.