Driving Sustainable Impact: ActionAid Ghana Champions Partnerships for Sustainable Development through the CAPs Project in Ghana.

ActionAid Ghana is making remarkable progress in enhancing community resilience through the GIZ-funded initiative, Strengthening Community Resilience through Community Action Plans (CAPs). This transformative project, part of the broader Resilience Against Climate Change (REACH) program, is already creating positive impacts across ten districts in the Upper West and Savannah Regions. With a robust focus on water management, forest restoration, and soil health improvement, the initiative is delivering a remarkable 141 community-level interventions in 111 communities.

The interventions are diverse, comprising 60 boreholes, 5 dams, 5 irrigation systems, 22 agroforestry projects, 15 forest restoration sites, as well as numerous initiatives aimed at composting, soil conservation, and bushfire management. Many of these projects are currently nearing completion, bringing hope and sustainable solutions to local communities.

During a recent joint monitoring visit to these project sites, John Nkaw, the Country Director of ActionAid Ghana, earnestly urged community members to take ownership of the facilities to ensure their long-term sustainability. He expressed gratitude for the strong collaboration with institutions like the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), highlighting the vital role played by Agricultural Extension Agents in empowering farmers to adopt good Agricultural Practices. 

“The success of these interventions hinges on the ownership taken by the community, the technical support we provide, and ongoing monitoring,” Mr. Nkaw emphasized, reiterating the importance of engagement and responsibility.

The team led by the Country Director, Quality and Knowledge Manager, PR and Communications Officer, the Upper West Regional Manager and Project Officers of the CAPs project extended courtesy calls on some key government institutions and development organisations who have contributed to the implementation the interventions under the project. 

First at the regional Agriculture Department, the team engaged the Ministry of Food and Agriculture Regional Director, Mr. Huudu Abu. The director lauded the initiative and the project's impacts on Ghana's Food and Agriculture, calling for increased support for women’s groups to establish community seed banks, an essential step toward promoting food sovereignty. AAG’s Regional Manager, Madam Abiba Nibaradun reinforced this message, pointing out the fruitful outcomes of previous seed bank pilot projects with women in Jirapa, which demonstrated great potential for expansion.

Under the water management output of the project, Mr. Nkaw and the team further connected with Upper West Regional Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA). He also commended the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) for their initiative in training Water and Sanitation Management Teams (WSMTs) to effectively maintain the 60 boreholes constructed. A Technical Officer, Mr. B. Cletus underscored the agency’s commitment to fostering a culture of good maintenance, encouraging AAG to institutionalise some management structures to help maintain and proper care for the water systems in the various project communities. Mr. Malik Gbene, Quality Knowledge Manager affirmed  that AAG's existing systems like the Village Saving and Loan Associations built over the years, are key mechanisms and structures that are being empowered to mobilize local resources for the upkeep of these crucial facilities. 

At the Forestry Commission, Mr. Nkaw praised the agency’s invaluable technical support in implementing 22 agroforestry projects and 15 forest restoration initiatives. The Commission pledged ongoing assistance to ensure the survival of seedlings, especially during challenging dry seasons, through dedicated monitoring and the execution of community forest management plans.

In a meeting with GIZ, key donor agency of the CAPs project, AAG paid a courtesy call on the regional team. Mr. Nkaw expressed his heartfelt appreciation for their unwavering partnership, emphasizing how CAPs have been revolutionary, especially for rural women. He highlighted the benefits that women’s groups and individuals with disabilities are experiencing through irrigation schemes, seed support, and savings groups that reinvest in farming activities.

The Manager of the GIZ REACH Project, Mathias Berthold, lauded ActionAid Ghana for its exemplary leadership, describing the CAPs approach as “a model for community-driven development.” He expressed GIZ’s strong desire for other stakeholders working with communities to embrace and scale up the CAPs methodology for broader impact and sustainability. 

With a steadfast commitment to partnership and community engagement at its heart, the CAPs project stands as a beacon of hope, illustrating how to effectively foster resilience, promote gender inclusivity, and strengthen livelihoods in northern Ghana.

Written by Sebastian Alesane and Collins Bayinye 
Writers are Project Officers of the CAPs Project.