Asutifi North District Assembly in partnership with World Vision has organized a three-day refresher training workshops for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Management Teams (WSMTs) of some 27 communities.
The training which came off from Monday, 4th April to Wednesday 6th April at Goamu Koforidua Catholic Church and the Gambia No.1 Methodist Church aimed at rebuilding the capacity of WSMT members to effectively manage their water, sanitation, and hygiene systems in accordance with Community Water and Sanitation Agency(CWSA) standards and the project management option.
Amongst issues discussed at the workshops were roles and obligations assigned to WSMT’s members, modes of communication with various stakeholders and partners, Facility Management Plans for short and long terms, and enforcement of constitutions.
Others include the hydrological cycle, the importance of pumping tests, water quality assessments, metrics from pumping tests, conflict management and resolution, income generation and tariff fixing, record keeping, registration of bank accounts, and important management tools in aiding their works.
The Assistant Planning Officer, Asutifi North, Seth Andrew Danso explains “the refresher training was necessary after our monitoring exercises revealed various gaps and concerns among the WSMTs and communities”.
Members of some WSMTshowever raised some issues that hinder their missions.
At the Gambia workshop, Kwaku Kwarteng complained, “some community members insult us whenever we step in to stop their abuse of water systems. We had some members who resigned as a result of this.”
Other complaints included petty fights amongst WSMT and community members due to breach of by-laws and non-payment for water by some community members in communities that practice monthly and annual contributions.
The training received seven selected members each from 27 communities participating. These communities include Aboagya, Tawiakrom, Asamang, Goamu Koforidua, Addokrom, Okyerekrom, Akwasi Addaikrom, Abernako, Goatifi, Akosakrom, Amaagyemang, Bronyakrom, Krakyekrom, Kwabenafo, Nsuta Domiabra, Besease, Benuyena, Kwadwo, Nkrumah, Yaabene Agya, Akosakrom, Anlo Mensah, Kwanfinfin, Koforidua school and others.