Ghana, UK NGOs team up for development

Accra, Aug. 21, GNA - Two non-governmental organisations (NGOs) - Projects Abroad United Kingdom and Projects Abroad Ghana, have teamed up to offer development lifeline for rural communities in Ghana.

The initiative, which aims at complementing the state's developmental pursuit, would identify basic necessities of deprived communities through a three-prong growth strategy model. Mr Tom Davis, Country Director of Projects Abroad Ghana, told the Ghana News Agency in an interview on Friday that the model would ensure greater accountability and sustainability of projects. "Gone are the days when donors sit in their respective countries and just wire down monies to NGOs and wait for newspaper cuttings and report," he said.

Mr Davis said through the three-prong growth strategy, the UK group, would send down funds and volunteers who would participate in the identification and execution of projects in partnership with local collaborators.

He noted that global developmental and donor funding paradigm had shifted and Ghanaian NGOs and communities must therefore take full responsibility for projects to ensure their sustainability after cessation of funds.

"We cannot continue to depend on donors for assistance forever. We must play our respective roles effectively and must be responsible and prudent in administering projects," he said.

Presenting educational material to the chiefs and people of Oduman, a deprived community in the Ga West District of the Greater Accra Region, on behalf of 10 volunteers from the UK, Mr Davis called for rejuvenation of the spirit of self-help and volunteerism. He tasked traditional leaders, opinion and district authorities to provide inspirational leaders for the youth and personally undertake voluntary work in their communities.

"With combined efforts, most communities across the country can provide their basic necessities without waiting for the central government or non-governmental organisations," he said. Mr Ian Birbeck, Recruitment Director of Project Abroad UK, commended the volunteers who defied all odds to travel to the hinterland, stayed in an unfamiliar environment and focussed their attention to the needs of the people.

The Oduman Community lacks basic necessities, including a school, health post, potable water, recreational facilities, and good road. The people also face harassment by land guards.

Nii Odu, Chief of Oduman pledged to participate personally in community initiated projects to complement the effort of the volunteers and also monitor the development ventures embarked upon by Project Abroad.

Project Abroad Volunteers launched a biweekly medical mission to educate the people on the harmful effect of HIV/AIDS, typhoid, malaria and other diseases.