Ms. Nana Ama Nketia-Quaidoo, Director of Community-Driven Development (CDD) at Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA), has announced that 100 communities in the West Mamprusi Municipality in Ghana’s North East Region will receive $8,000 each, equivalent to GH₵92,951.28 through the ACA community-driven development initiative. She explained that 50 of the communities will begin this year (2026), while the remaining 50 will start in 2027.
Ms. Nketia-Quaidoo noted that the programme is community-owned and community-driven, with municipal support provided by the West Mamprusi Municipal Assembly, including DRIP equipment and a $500 contribution to support technical officers and the clearing of land or project sites once community members agree on the location.She added that communities are given adequate time to plan and implement their projects without rushing. “After four years, we will change to another discipline,” she said, adding that the initiative is expected to deliver results across districts in Ghana where funding is available.
According to her, ACA has successfully rolled out the same model in five to six districts in the southern part of Ghana, and currently supports 200 communities, in addition to 100 communities already supported, bringing the total number of communities reached to 307.
Ms. Nketia-Quaidoo further said that in places such as Nkronza, communities that benefited from previous FCAP support continue to stay united even after completing projects.
She explained that the FCAP is intended to “ignite the spirits of people” so they learn to act independentlyeven without further support from government or NGOs.Ms. Nketia-Quaidoo said an important aspect of the partnership is the fiscal commitment of the Municipal Assembly.
She stated that ACA will provide a US$8,000 microgrant per community (totaling US$800,000), while the Assembly will contribute US$400 per community, amounting to a total counterpart contribution of US$40,000 across the 100 communities.“This is much more than money,” she emphasized. “It is about ownership.”
She added that when communities contribute their time, ideas, labour, and local resources, it shows the projects are not simply government initiatives but truly theirs.
She also noted that when development partners support with expertise, communities benefit from a coordinated partnership rather than isolated interventions.
The CDD Director said the Assembly’s role will be critical to the success of the initiative.
In addition to its counterpart funding, the Assembly is expected to provide weekly supervision, encouragement, and technical direction, strengthen coordination and monitoring, ensure accountability, and create strong linkages between community priorities and municipal development planning.
She stated that the partnership aligns with the Assembly’s broader responsibility to promote community participation and improve the social wellbeing of individuals, families, and communities through its Medium-Term Development Plans.
Speaking at the media launch of the Ting Labginsim Project in West Mamprusi Municipality (Walewale),
Ms. Ann Squire, Country Director of Spark MicroGrants Ghana, said Spark’s conviction is simple ,people closest to problems are also closest to solutions.
She stated that communities are not waiting to be developed. “They are ready to lead their own development when they are given the space, tools, and trust to do so,” she said.Ms. Squire clarified that Spark’s support goes beyond funding microgrants.
She explained that Spark uses a process called the Facilitated Collective Action Process, where people in communities come together to identify priorities, plan collectively, and act together while Spark walks alongside communities rather than arriving with all the answers.
She also emphasized inclusion, stating that Spark works to ensure women, young people, and those often excluded from decision-making have a meaningful voice in the process.
MCE appeals for proper implementation Mr. Mohammed Rabiu Jabaah, West Mamprusi Municipal Chief Executive (MCE), speaking on behalf of the North East Regional Minister, appealed to the people of West Mamprusi Municipality to comply with the main agenda of the CDD programme under ACA.
He urged communities to ensure the projects they identified are started and completed for the benefit of the people.
He expressed confidence that communities, having undergone training, are well-positioned to deliver the expected results.
The MCE also cautioned community members not to see themselves as “bosses” over elected community leaders. He advised them to follow the agreed norms and the model provided.
Mr. Frank Kettey, Country Manager of Water and Sanitation for Urban Population (WSUP), explained that WSUP has supported multiple municipalities, even though the programme began with an initial focus on northern Ghana.
He stated that West Mamprusi Municipality was selected because of the proactiveness of the Municipal Assembly and because the necessary data required for decision-making was readily available during the selection process.
He added that WSUP is a nonprofit organisation focused on strengthening mandated service providers and institutions to improve water and sanitation services in Ghana.
He said WSUP has worked with over thirty municipalities, including relevant water and sanitation entities such as Ghana Water and CWSA, and has supported communities and strengthened municipal capacity nationwide.
Source:mywordfmonline.com/Gaspard Adongo Ayuureneeya