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  • 45 communities implement ‘Oman yie die’ in Ghana

    Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA), a non-profit-making organization, has partnered with four District Assemblies in Ghana to implement the Facilitated Collective Action Process (FCAP), also called “Oman yie die” in 45 communities.

    The 45 communities in Abuakwa South, Fanteakwa South and Atiwa West District of the Eastern Region and Nkoranza South Municipality in the Bono East Region, as part of the partnership, have pledged to adopt FCAP as a community development tool to implement all community-based projects in line with their Medium-Term Development Plans.

    “Oman yie die” encourages communities to create a common development vision and equips them with skills and financial resources – including a $9,000 microgrant – to pursue it.

    As part of the collaboration, each district assembly is to provide supervision, technical support as well as counterpart funding of $1,000 towards each of the projects.

    Projects being provided under this partnership include laboratory, mechanized boreholes, markets, classroom blocks, a dormitory, teachers’ quarters, CHPS Compound, OPD facility, foot bridges, extension of electricity, water and the construction of community centers.

    Also being implemented in some of the communities are livelihood enhancement projects such as palm-oil production centre, pastries-making centre, corn-mill operations and a pig farm.

    “This collaboration with ACA is very timely as it will not only bring visible improvements to the lives of residents but also carries the entire community along a development path that is in line with the Assembly’s Medium Term Development Plan”, Douglas Puddy Amponsah, the Atiwa West District Chief Executive, said at a ceremony held at Akrofufu and Awenare to kick-start the implementation of project.

    He entreated people in the beneficiary communities to support the implementation of projects with communal labour to augment the financial support from ACA and the District Assembly.

    “Our long-term goal is to have FCAP adopted as the main development tool by all district assemblies in the country. ACA is committed to supporting mobilizing threatened West African communities around a future they can fight for, through the power of law and community-driven development”, Nana Ama Nketia-Quaidoo, ACA’s Director of Community-Driven Development (CDD) said.

    “By rolling out Oman yie die at scale, we will show that CDD is the most sustainable, cost-effective way to give wings to communities’ dreams for development and protect them from threats to their lives and livelihoods. We want to see government authorities across Ghana cooperating with all of Ghana’s communities to make sure that local people are empowered to pursue their own vision for the future.”

    Last year, ten communities namely Abompe, Saaman, Bososo, Kplandey, Nsutam, Dome, Dwenase and Heman in Fanteakwa South District; and Asikam and Ahwenease in Abuakwa South Municipality began implementing FCAP as part of CDD’s expansion. This was after the successful piloting of the project in Donkro Nkwanta, Nwoase, Salamkrom and Kyeredeso in the Bono East region as well as Juaso, Sagyemase and Nsuapemso.

    There are plans to further expand to a lot more communities around the country.

  • Tribunal Judiciaire in Paris hears Zogota massacre victims today

    Survivors of the 2012 massacre by state security forces in the village of Zogota in the West African country of Guinea are keeping their fingers crossed as hearing of their Exequatur suit begins today at the Tribunal Judiciaire in Paris, France.

    The stakes in this action are high because not only could success make the difference that allows the Zogota massacre survivors to finally receive justice, but it would also pioneer an important new strategy for victims of grave abuses worldwide.

    In October last year, some survivors of the 2012 massacre by state security forces in the village of Zogota in the West African country of Guinea run to the Tribunal Judiciaire in Paris, France, to seek justice through a lawsuit against the Guinean state.

    Earlier in 2018, these survivors brought their case to the Abuja-based ECOWAS Court of Justice after their complaints were repeatedly stalled and ignored in the Guinean courts.  The ECOWAS Court found that Guinea had violated its international human rights obligations and ordered it to pay 4.56 billion Guinean francs (then approximately $436,000) to the plaintiffs, but the government is yet to comply.

    This led to an exequatur suit filed by the massacre survivors at the tribunal in Paris, which they hope will grant exequatur, or recognition, of the ECOWAS Court judgment.  The purpose of the exequatur suit is to recognize that the ECOWAS Court decision is enforceable in France, on an equal basis with judgments of the French courts.

    Exequatur, if granted, would allow the massacre survivors to locate and seize certain Guinean state assets in France to satisfy the ECOWAS Court’s compensation order.

    One of the biggest weaknesses in the international justice system for human rights abuses is the difficulty in enforcing human rights tribunals’ judgments against states, so this exequatur action could fill a major accountability gap.

  • FCAP microloan turns many lives around in Sierra Leone

    Several women in the Sierra Leonean town of Koidu in the Kono District of the Eastern Region, have been sharing their testimonies about how their socio-economic lives have been transformed in the last few years following the disbursement of microloans to them under the Facilitated Collective Action Process (FCAP).  But for FCAP, most of these women would not have any financial freedom and would probably be wallowing in abject poverty and become a burden on their families and society at large. Five beneficiaries of FCAP microloan in Koidu have been sharing their success stories about this intervention, which is being implemented by Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA) in partnership with the Network Movement for Justice and Development (NMJD) in Sierra Leone.

    ACA is an Accra-based non-profit-making organization that helps West Africa communities are threatened by the destructive impacts of extractives-led development to take control of their own futures while NMJD is a Sierra Leonean civil society organization that engages in advocacy and strengthens the capacity of civil society organizations to effectively engage women, men, children, communities, government and other actors for the transformation of society.

    Here are excerpts of testimonies of five of the FCAP beneficiaries in Koidu whose lives have been impacted positively by the intervention and are currently using their skills acquired to impact the lives of other women in their respective communities.

    Finda Moiwo 46years, 7 dependents

    Life was extremely difficult for me and my family prior to my encounter with FACP. In fact, it was very challenging to even provide food at home.

    Breaking stones for construction works was my main occupation but I was unable to make any reasonable income out of this to support the upkeep of my home primarily due to the lack of funds to acquire the requisite tools and get additional hands to undertake this business. 

    I was therefore very excited to be part of the training organised for beneficiaries of the FCAP microloan. Before the grant was given to us, we were trained in strategies required to run a business and financial management skills, among others.

    As a result, when the microloan was finally advanced to me, I was able to buy my working tools and hire additional casual staff to help in breaking more stones daily.

    I can confidently say today that I’m now able to effectively take care of my children. I can say without any equivocation that the microgrant I received under FCAP has turned my fortunes around and I will encourage my colleague women who are currently benefitting from it to attach maximum seriousness to the project for their own good.

     

    Alice Komeh, 56years, 7 dependents

    I was engaged in backyard gardening (a mini farm), which obviously yielded a very small quantity of foodstuff. Life was difficult but there was nothing I could do because I didn’t have any capital to start any business. 

    With as many as seven dependents, the FCAP microloan therefore came as a great relief as it enabled me to venture into trade. When I received the microloan, I quickly started trading in palm oil – both retail and wholesale.

    My life has never been the same since I ventured into this business as I have no problem at all taking good care of my children and other dependents.

    I am currently considering an expansion of the scope of my trade to include other items so I’m also looking at acquiring a shop that can accommodate my wares.

    Fatu Finda Ali, 40 years, five (5) dependents

    I have been into the palm oil business for quite some time. I was mainly into the sale of oil on a retail basis due to my low working capital. I was unable to trade in good quality palm oil because of my poor financial state and this led to low patronage of my products. I always wished to expand my business, but it remained a wish until the FCAP microloan came to my rescue. 

    For me, the business training that preceded the microgrant was an eye-opener because it enabled me to quickly expand my business as soon as I accessed the grant. Also, the training inculcated in me the need to develop savings habit, which has secured my future against any possible eventualities.

    Today, I’m now in the position to deal in good quality palm oil and vegetables and I’ve progressed from being a retailer to a wholesaler. Indeed, this intervention has led to an improvement in my standard of living, and I can take good care of myself and my children.

     

    Mabel Sia Ellie, Seamstress & trader, 50years, 9 dependents

    Even though I was working as a seamstress by profession, life was extremely difficult because of my low customer base. Only a few people used to frequent my shop to sew their dresses, and this really made life quite unbearable for me.

    It was therefore heart-warming when the news came that FCAP was coming to my aid through a microloan. Together with other women in my community, ACA and NMJD took us through training on various business strategies, record-keeping, among others. The training equipped me with the requisite skills which have helped me to effectively manage my work.

    I must say that in addition to my dress-making business, I’ve now added the sale of palm oil and other assorted items in my shop. This has really given me financial independence and enhanced my living conditions. 

    The fact that there is no interest on the microloan makes it unique in my opinion. What really matter most are your time and dedication in attending meetings. I’m proud to say that I’ve started imparting the knowledge I gained during the training on others.

    Esther Moiwa, 55years, 7 dependents

    Before my encounter with the FCAP intervention, I was engaged in petty trade in assorted items. I could not keep any records of my business, and this really had a toll on sales and my entire work. I simply lacked the basic skills to keep any records.

    However, upon the completion of the training given to us ahead of the disbursement of the microloan, I am now able to manage, maintain and keep proper records of my business.

    Besides, there is vast improvement in my business because I’ve been able to add rice, oil, palm oil and other items. More importantly, I’m able to support my husband financially and gradually, I could realize that I’m becoming financially independent.

    About FCAP

    Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA) is a non-profit-making organization devoted to championing the course of West African communities which are threatened by the devastating effects of extractive activities to chart a new path of development through various assistance.

    One of the ways through which ACA supports communities to chart a new course of development and take control of their futures is through the Facilitated Collective Action Process (FCAP), a process developed and popularized in East Africa by Spark MicroGrants, a partner organization of ACA.

    (This write-up was co-authored by Richard Boahen of ACA, Accra, Ghana, and Francess Finda Gbondo of NMJD, Kono District, Sierra Leone with support from FCAP team)

  • So Abapa Boateng: My community development practice experiences with ACA

    Today, one of our newly recruited Trainers with the Community-Driven Development Department, So Abapa Boateng, shares her experiences since she joined ACA in February 2024. She says the experiences she gathered in her previous workplace are being sharpened and appreciated in multiple folds in ACA.

    The email read “You are hired”, my joy was out of this world. I screamed, I jumped, I danced to no song; the excitement was indescribable. “Wow”, I was lost for words. “Finally, Finally,” those were my words when I could speak.

    My time with Advocates for Community Alternatives has been very fulfilling and I dare say, it has been worthwhile joining this exciting team of development practitioners.

    “Welcome to our new team members, Geoffrey Fummey Horkpe, Bommie Adamu, Joseph Obeng, Ingrid Frempong and So Abapa Boateng” a beautifully written note placed on the wall in the Osino office welcomed the new staff members. It was heartwarming because I was not quite certain on what to expect on my first day in the office, but the team made it so welcoming, it was as though we knew each other for a very long time before we got to the office.

    The Director of Community-Driven Development, Nana Ama Nketsia-Quaidoo (Mrs), was so welcoming as she clearly outlined what was expected of us as new staff members.

    Osei Nimako, the Project Manager was so excited and did not spare us a minute of laughter and jokes. Francis Manu and George Mpoah were so knowledgeable in their fields, and it made it super easy to understand what ACA does within the various partner communities.

    And oh, the time with the Executive Director, Jonathan Kaufman – I loved the chocolates he got for us. We could make our choices; he was ever ready to answer all the questions on our newly recruited minds.

    It has been smooth sail for the months I have worked with ACA. I am even more enthused that the organization gives room for innovation and creativity because working with the communities is not cast in stone.

    The decision to move out from the Northern region of Ghana where I had practiced community development work since 2008 to Nkoranza in the Bono East region has been very fulfilling. My experiences gathered in Education, Food Security and Livelihood, Entrepreneurship, and Gender, are being sharpened and appreciated in multiple folds in the organization.

    The journey with Advocates for Community Alternatives has just begun and I am looking forward to working with communities to attain their development vision one community at a time.

    I believe that I can be creative in facilitating communities to attain their development vision and I’m always encouraged by the fun and excitement that go with my community-based work.  This spurs me on to do more and always put on my creativity cap. My level of confidence is soaring up higher because the team is always on hand to sharpen the rough the edges, so we get the desired results in the development journey. There are well tailored training tools and manuals to make facilitating trainings, monitoring and evaluating results very detailed and easy.

    Even more fulfilling most of the time is the positive feedback from the community meeting I facilitate. “Madam, not only have we learned how to develop a vision for our community, but I have also learned to use that knowledge for myself. I know I must have a vision I am working towards for my life and family, thank you.” A community member expressed his appreciation after a community meeting.

    I have no doubt that I am going to make a positive impact on ACA and the communities assigned to me while broadening my horizon further by learning from my colleagues and most of the people I encounter through the performance of my duties.

  • PILEX rescues of a Nigerian widow

    A member of ACA’s Public Interest Lawyering Initiative for West Africa (PILIWA), Courage Nsirimovu, has initiated pro bono legal steps to retrieve a car for a Nigerian widow, Pleasure Amadi, whose husband passed away on August 28, 2022, after a short illness.

    Madam Amadi’s late husband is said to have parked the car in his brother’s residence shortly before his demise, but the brother has refused to surrender the property to the widow despite various attempts to retrieve it.

    The widow says she badly needs the car for commercial use to enable her to fend for herself and her only child.

    Lawyer Courage Nsirimovu, who is also the Coordinator of PILEX Centre For Civic Education Initiative-The Peoples Advocates, says he, together with his team, will leave no stone unturned to secure justice for the widow.

    According to him, efforts will be made to ensure that all other properties that are supposed to be given to Madam Amadi and her child will be retrieved through the legal process that has been initiated.

  • Simandou-related construction works: Senguelen residents in Guinea share their ordeal

    Some residents of Senguelen, a farming community in Guinea, are worried about the effects of construction works in the area on their lives. The on-going construction of a port and railway facilities at the Morebayah estuary, which is few kilometers to Senguelen, has resulted in direct environmental impacts on their livelihoods.

    Senguelen community members have not been mincing words on their ordeal. At a recent visit to the community to ascertain the veracity of these concerns, it came to light that several farmers who cultivate rice had their rice fields impacted by the construction of the railway.

    Rice farms destroyed

    A road has been constructed across a major river to serve as a platform for laying of the rails without any bridge to allow the free flow of water from upstream to the downstream of the river. This has since prevented water from reaching the rice fields and hence their destruction.

    As a result, these families have not been able to farm for the past three years. According to them, Winning Consortium Simandou (WCS) officials gave them a sack of rice as compensation for the destruction of the rice fields. The contractors later inserted narrow pipes under the platforms on the river to serve as passage for the river water. The pipes were yet to be inserted at some dug out places of the platform across the river at the time of our visit. Some amount of water now flows to the downstream, but its flow pattern has changed and has not been able to restore the productivity of the rice fields.

    Contaminated water

    A rice farmer, Mr. Dawuda Sila, who has been cultivating several acres of rice along the banks of the upstream of the river, complained that he has not been able to farm over the past three years due to the contaminated water which is discharged onto his farm from the construction camp. Our team observed that long pipe connected from the camp discharges wastewater onto Mr. Sila’s farm. The pipe was not flowing at the time of our visit; however, remnants of previous discharge were seen. The soil and water were observed to be oily suggesting the discharge fuel and other oil-based wastewater into his farm which ends up in the river.

    Dust

    Residents also complained about dust from the construction site and from the dusty roads and complained that the heavy-duty vehicles that are being used by the contractor generate a lot of dust any time they use the dusty roads. What makes the situation worse is that the vehicles mostly move in convoys, making the amount of dust generated very intense to the extent that it completely blinds other road users. Besides, the dust enters the houses close to the road. Worst still, it is practically impossible to wear white clothes in this area because of the dust. The contractors have been watering the road but due to the hot weather the water dries up quickly and the problem with the dust continues.

    No compensation

    Mr. Dawud Ahmed complained that portions of his farm were destroyed by the contractor to create an access road and was told that the area has been compensated for the creation of the access road. It later turned out that that was not the route where the access road was supposed to pass and therefore the clearing was discontinued. Mr. Ahmed said he had reached out to the company about the issue which resulted in the destruction of his oil palm and cashew trees but to date e is yet to be compensated for the destruction of his farm. He has followed up several times, but his effort has not yielded any result.

  • Sowing Seeds of Sustainability: CiCoNet Leads tree planting exercise in Nkoranza

    The Citizens Committee Network (CiCoNet), a community-based organization dedicated to promoting sustainable development, has embarked on a tree planting exercise at Kyerefene, near Donkro Nkwanta, in the Bono East region of Ghana.

    The event, held on Saturday, June 29, 2024, was part of ACA’s citizen science program, which aims at engaging communities in environmental conservation efforts.

    The exercise saw the planting of over 500 tree seedlings, including bombax, mahogany, and ofram species, known for their ecological and economic benefits.

    CiCoNet members, ACA representatives, and a staff of the Forestry Commission, Prince Adu Adjei, joined forces to make the event a success.

    “I am highly elated to be part of this journey and actively get involved in planting trees to safeguard and foster biodiversity in ecosystems in my community,” said Comfort Takyiwaa, a CiCoNet member from Kyeradeso.

    Prince Adu Adjei, the Forest Range Manager, praised the effort, highlighting the significance of tree planting in controlling climate change and its associated consequences.

    ACA’s Project Manager, Mr. Godfred Osei Nimako, and his team ensured the exercise’s success. The Forest Range Manager advised ACA to monitor the planted seedlings to ensure their survival, emphasizing the need for sustainability and preservation of the environment.

    Monitoring

    Given the area’s susceptibility to bush fires during the dry season, the team will conduct regular monitoring visits to assess the seedlings’ growth and health, provide ongoing maintenance, including pruning and watering as needed, engage local community members in the monitoring and maintenance process, establish a system for tracking and reporting on the seedlings’ progress and create a fire belt, a strip of land cleared of flammable materials, around the planted areas to prevent the spread of bush fires.

    The support of Mr. Cudjoe Awudi, Mr. Dickson, and Mr. Raymond Agbontor, all staff of the Forestry Commission, was invaluable to the success of the exercise. Their expertise and guidance ensured that the tree planting exercise was done efficiently and effectively.

    The exercise demonstrated the power of community spirit and environmental stewardship.

    CiCoNet and ACA’s collaboration, with the support of the Forestry Commission, sets an example for others to follow, promoting a greener future for generations to come.

  • Empowering Osino CiCoNet members: The dangers of agro-chemicals and sustainable farming practices

    In a bid to address the rampant misuse of agro-chemicals by farmers in Ghana, about 80 members of the Osino Citizens Committee Network (CiCoNet) gathered at Asiakwa in the Abuakwa South Municipality for an enlightening workshop.

    The meeting, facilitated by Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA), aimed at educating participants on the proper use of agro-chemicals and sustainable farming practices.

    The continuous application of agro-chemicals by farmers has become a norm, with many unaware of the devastating effects on human health and the environment. Some farmers fail to read instructions on the chemicals, endangering their lives and those of others.

    ACA’s Science Advisor, Dr. Kwabina Ibrahim, delved into the negative effects of agro-chemicals, including respiratory and skin problems, reproductive and nervous system damage, cancer risks, and cognitive impairment. Through a PowerPoint presentation, he demonstrated the dire consequences of improper use and emphasized the need for personal protective gear.

    He introduced participants to Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and organic farming methods, offering a holistic approach to farming without relying on agro-chemicals. These alternatives promote better yields and a healthier environment.

    The workshop received an overwhelmingly positive response, with participants expressing gratitude for the knowledge gained. “I’ve learned a lot today, and I realize we need to be mindful of how we apply agro-chemicals. We’ll share this knowledge with our families and community members,” remarked Mr. George Asante, the out-going Osino CiCoNet Chairman.

    The workshop empowered the Osino CiCoNet members to adopt sustainable farming practices, ensuring a healthier future for themselves, their communities, and the environment.

  • CiCoNet welcomes new members

    From a humble beginning of memberships in seven communities in the then Brong Ahafo Region and the Eastern region in 2018, the Citizens Committee Network (CiCoNet) can now boast of branches in 62 communities in Ghana.

    CiCoNet currently has 14 branches in Nkoranza South Municipality, ten in Atiwa West District, 17 in Abuakwa South Municipality and 21 in the Fanteakwa South District – all contributing to an estimated membership of 340.

    At the inauguration of new CiCoNet members drawn from Abuakwa South, Atiwa West and Fanteakwa South districts at a ceremony held at Osino, ACA’s Senior Trainer, Francis Fernaldinho Manu, explained that members of the Committee serve as watchdogs in their communities and resist any act that poses as a threat to their lives and livelihoods.

    He also said CiCoNet members actively participate in, supervise and monitor the effective execution of development projects in their community and always ensure accountability and transparency in their line of work.

    “You’re to play a lead role in educating your community members on their fundamental human rights, act as intermediary between community and local government and also serve as the official mouthpiece of community”, he further said.

    Mr. Manu assured CiCoNet of ACA’s continuing support towards the effective running of CiCoNet, adding that copies of constitution and guidelines will soon be made available to them for thorough study and application.

    Touching on some successes chalked by CiCoNet since its inception in 2018, the Senior Trainer mentioned a recent media campaign by members which resulted in the refilling of some abandoned mining pits in Juaso, Sagyemase and Nsuapemso and compensation payment to some landowners in the Fanteakwa South district as well as the reversal of the sale of some 400 acres of land by the queen mother of Donkro Nkwanta for cashew plantation without following due process.

    Another Senior Trainer of ACA, Mr George Mpoah, also encouraged the CiCoNet members to keep themselves abreast of the country’s legal frameworks on lands, minerals and mining.

    He further asked them to demonstrate a high sense of commitment to their work and attach maximum seriousness to meetings, keeping in mind that all that CiCoNet does is geared toward development of their communities.

    A similar ceremony was held in Nkoranza to welcome 30 new CiCoNet members from ten communities in the Nkoranza South Municipality of the Bono East Region.

  • New CiCoNet executives sworn into office

    The newly elected executives of the Osino Citizens Committee Network (CiCoNet) have taken over from the out-gone executives at a ceremony at Asiakwa near Kyebi.

    The new executives, who will steer the affairs of the Committee till 2026, took over from their predecessors who recently ended their term of office. They were elected a few weeks ago during one of the committee’s meetings.

    Chaired by Stephen Gyekye Appiah, the other executives include Antwi Boasiako, Vice-chairman; David Aboah, Secretary; Grace Adu, Treasurer and Samuel Gyeketey, Organizer.

    They took over from George Owusu Asante, Bartholemew Boakye, David Aboah, Grace Adu, Matilda Asantewaa and Ebenezer Tetteh.

    The out-gone Chairman, George Owusu Asante, congratulated his successor and his team, and urged them to serve with humility and selflessness.

    “I worked with you during my tenure as the Chairman and I have no doubt in my mind that you can deliver. Continue to dedicate your time, energy and other resources to the course of CiCoNet and trust me, you will never regret doing so”, he added.

    Stephen Gyekye Appiah, on behalf of the new executives, pledged to continue the good works of the outgone executives and called for the total support of all CiCoNet members.

    Certificates of recognition were presented to all the outgone executives as a sign of appreciation for their hard work and dedication to duty.