Advocates Redesign

Category: What We Do

  • Comfort Akosua Wiafe: Sora Kaufman Fellow

    Comfort Akosua Agyeman Wiafe, a communications enthusiast, who also enjoys rendering humanitarian services, has in the past eight years spearheaded various projects geared towards improving menstrual health, general health, hunger, skill training and development, childcare and literacy among others.

    She is presently the President and Chief Operations Officer of Arise to Connect Africa and a Project Coordinator with the Restoration Empowerment Project.

    She holds a degree in Communication Studies (Journalism option) and a master’s degree in development communication, both from the Ghana Institute of Journalism.

    Integrating knowledge from fellowship

    By integrating the knowledge from the fellowship program in her workplace and community development work, Akosua intends to do so through the application of innovative approaches, using creative problem-solving and collaborative leadership skills to drive positive change in her organization.

    She also hopes to enhance community engagement by developing and implementing community engagement strategies to foster deeper connections with the target people as well as undertake a mentorship and training program, which she says will afford her the opportunity to share her knowledge with colleagues and provide training on community-led initiatives and social justice principles.

    Touching on her plans for community development, Akosua has a three-prong approach, which are community empowerment, collaborative partnerships and Advocacy and policy change.

    She believes that these would culminate in establishing a community resource center; she plans to establish a community resource center to provide ongoing support and resources, develop a leadership pipeline, which seeks to develop a leadership pipeline to ensure sustainable community growth.

    According to Akosua, she will also continuously evaluate and adapt her approaches to ensure they remain effective and responsive to community needs.

    “By integrating the knowledge and skills from the fellowship, I aim to create a rippling effect of positive change in my workplace and community, ultimately contributing to a more just and equitable society”, she said.

    Proposed plans going forward

    Upon completing the 12-month Sora Kaufman Fellowship program, Akosua intends to undertake the following activities:

    • Scale up the Bottle Bricks Project: I will apply the knowledge, skills, and networks gained during the fellowship to expand the project’s reach and impact. This includes developing strategic partnerships, securing funding, and establishing a robust operational framework.
    • Establish a Sustainable Model: I will focus on creating a sustainable and replicable model for building classrooms using plastic bottles, ensuring that the project can be adapted and implemented in various communities.
    • Community Engagement and Empowerment: I will work closely with the beneficiary communities to ensure their active participation and ownership of the project. This includes providing training and capacity-building programs to enable them to maintain and manage the classrooms.
    • Advocacy and Policy Influence: I will utilize the knowledge gained during the fellowship to advocate for policy changes and support initiatives that address plastic waste management and sustainable building practices.
    • Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning: I will establish a robust monitoring and evaluation framework to assess the project’s impact, identify areas for improvement, and document best practices for future reference.
    • Mentorship and Knowledge Sharing: I will share my experiences and knowledge with other social entrepreneurs, community leaders, and stakeholders to inspire and support innovative solutions addressing similar challenges.

    In her view, she would be able to create a lasting impact through the Bottle Bricks Project, providing access to safe and sustainable educational infrastructure for deprived communities while promoting environmental stewardship, all things being equal.

    The Bottle Bricks Project, according to Akosua, is an initiative focused on solving sanitation barriers by using plastic bottles as a means of pushing infrastructural development.

    “The project seeks to construct classroom blocks with plastic bottles in deprived communities within the country. Many schools in deprived communities observe classes under trees and dilapidated structures and as such, this project will help these communities have relatively better educational structures for their students. This project basically tackles the SDG Goals 4 and 6, Quality Education and Sanitation respectively”, she explained.

    Akosua, the entire ACA family is very happy to have you around as a pioneer Fellow. We wish you a fruitful fellowship with the rest of the team during your one-month training ahead of the 12-month project implementation period.

  • Eric Anorrey: Sora Kaufman Fellow

    Meet Eric Anorrey, a proud member of ACA’s Sora Kaufman Fellowship. Born on 19th July 1987, Eric holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Development Education from the University for Development Studies and has been working with several non-profit-making organizations for about ten years, giving him a vast experience in Ghana’s civil society space.

    He currently acts as the Project Manager for the Livelihood and Environment Ghana (LEG) and leads the STAR Ghana Volunteerism Project, which aims at empowering community volunteers to participate and influence the utilization of mineral revenues for sustainable development in the Asutifi North District of the Ahafo Region of Ghana.

    Besides, he provides consultancy services for Savana Signatures, a Tamale-based NGO, as a Grievance Redress Officer on a World Bank-funded project titled “Transport Sector Improvement Project (TSIP)” where he manages an online grievance redress mechanism to address human rights and all land-related issues pertaining to a road construction in the Bono East Region.

    Eric is also the Founder of Global Youth Innovation Center (GYIC), a registered NGO in Ghana promoting youth development and participation in decision making and community volunteerism, and empowering youth to engage in community-driven initiatives, amplifying voices of rural vulnerable populations and fostering participation and self-help development.

    Over the last decade, he has I have worked on various impactful initiatives supported by organizations such as UNICEF, USAID, OXFAM, the World Bank, Safe Abortion Action Fund, Global Greengrants, STAR-Ghana Foundation, Plan International, among others, especially those related to health, human rights, sexual and reproductive health and rights, education, youth and women economic empowerment improving livelihoods among vulnerable populations in deprived communities through a combination of advocacy, awareness campaigns, education, and capacity-building and training interventions.

    “I work towards a just society where resources and opportunities are distributed, and the populace are recognized as the key actors in their own development rather than passive recipients of commodities and services. My community work has been guided by empathy and compassion, accountability, integrity and transparency, respect for diversity and inclusion, cultural sensitivity and self-reflection and continuous learning”, he says.

    Eric has special interest in youth development that fosters skilled youth population, inclusive governance, and empowers communities and vulnerable women for decent employment and improved livelihoods that protects their human rights and dignity, as well as rural development and environmental management and sustainability.

    Integrating knowledge from fellowship

    According to Eric, he aspires to apply the knowledge gained from the fellowship to his community development activities and at work.

    “The emphasis would be on how to use leadership and collaboration, innovative problem-solving skills, inclusive and sustainable development, community empowerment, networking, and advocacy skills.”

    “With improved skills and team-building skills, I will create a more collaborative and inclusive environment for my team and community, fostering participatory decision-making and respecting varied viewpoints.”

    He further says he would introduce a more innovative problem-solving strategy to empower communities to participate in and solve development challenges and promote active citizenship across communities. Focus on community-driven initiatives and sustainability by advocating for active citizen participation in local governance and development processes.

    “The skills and knowledge I obtain during the fellowship will be utilized in organizing capacity building workshops for my team, other civil society organizations, and communities to help them take a more community-driven approach to development, leadership, and project management for social impact. It is my goal to promote both personal and collective growth, resulting in a more equitable and sustainable societal impact.”

    Proposed plans going forward

    “The Global Youth Innovation Center (GYIC) has a 5-year Strategic Plan that outlines a strategy for addressing challenges in youth skills development and livelihood initiatives for mining host communities, promoting youth volunteerism and self-help community development, environmental sustainability and climate justice, and providing access to quality health and education services, all of which contribute to the well-being and resilience of the communities we serve.”

    “My leadership, sustainable development, networking, and skills in project management would be employed to help implement this five-year strategic plan. This will encourage a more innovative and collaborative team and build a dynamic team and organization to adopt community-driven and sustainable development initiatives.”

    He hopes to lead his organization in implementing interventions in its strategic plan for broader social impact, advocating for and building alliances and robust community movements for communities to have a voice to participate in decision-making, and leading community interventions for long-term impact.

    Congratulations, Eric! ACA welcomes you warmly to its flagship program that seeks to establish a network of African leaders and practitioners in the field of community-driven development and advocacy, the Sora Kaufman Fellowship.

  • Amoako Solomon: Sora Kaufman Fellow

    Solomon Amoako, a Field Supervisor of the Kintampo Health Research Centre is very excited to be a part of the first cohort of Sora Kaufman Fellowship.

    This is because his journey has been shaped by a blend of experiences, interests, and aspirations that continue to evolve.

    “I was born on August 29, 1989, at Wenchi in the Bono Region of Ghana. Growing up, I developed an interest in formal education and sports (soccer to be precise), often spending my time either on field or in the community library after school and vacations. This early exposure helped shape my personality and goals, leading me to pursue a degree in public health”, he believes.

    His educational journey began at the St Joseph’s Roman Catholic Basic School in Wenchi from where he continued at the Koase Senior High Technical School where he sat for the West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE).

    He later pursued a Bachelor of Science degree in public health (Health Promotion) at the Catholic University of Ghana located at Fiapre near Sunyani.

    As a Field Supervisor of the Kintampo Health Research Centre, Mr. Amoako has been working on some notable projects or studies conducted by the Centre. Among them are the Data Linkage, Neonatal Vitamins (NEOVITA), the Kintampo Health and Demographic Surveillance System (KHDSS), Tracking infections to Benefit Africa (TIBA), the Adverse Outcome in Pregnancy Trial (ADOPT) and lastly the Pregnancy Risk Stratification Innovation and Measurement Alliance (PRISMA) being the current project am working on. I was awarded the best field supervisor for the year 2022 in the PRISMA study.

    According to him: “The experiences gained over the years have not only honed my skills but also fueled my passion for public health and humanity. I’ve learned to embrace challenges and continuously seek growth, which has been instrumental in my career progression.”

    “Outside of my professional life, I have a variety of interests that bring me joy. I enjoy listening to music, football and reading novels and on top of all being kind to people. I find that these activities help me recharge and stay balanced.”

    Mr. Amoako sees himself as a passionate individual with a diverse background and a strong love for humanity.

    “I’m grateful for the experiences that have shaped me and the people who have supported me along the way. As I continue my journey, I’m committed to pursuing my goals, staying true to my values, and making a positive impact on the world around me.

    Integrating knowledge from fellowship

    As part of the first cohort of the Fellowship, Mr. Amoako believes that the following six strategies will guide his application of lessons learnt during the training.

    1. Practical Application: I plan to apply best practices and methodologies learned during the fellowship directly to ongoing projects. This might include innovative community engagement techniques or data-driven approaches to assess needs.
    2. Training and Capacity Building: I’ll share insights with my team and local stakeholders through workshops and training sessions. This fosters a culture of learning and empowers others with new skills and knowledge.
    3. Collaborative Partnerships: Utilizing the networks and relationships built during the fellowship, I aim to establish partnerships with organizations that can provide resources or expertise to enhance our community initiatives.
    4. Evaluation and Feedback: I’ll implement mechanisms for evaluating the impact of our programs using frameworks introduced in the fellowship. Continuous feedback loops will help refine our approach based on community needs and outcomes.
    5. Sustainability Practices: Integrating sustainable practices learned in the fellowship will be crucial for ensuring the long-term success of community projects, focusing on environmental, economic, and social sustainability.
    6. Advocacy and Policy Influence: Leveraging insights from the fellowship, I will engage in advocacy efforts to influence local policies that support community development goals.

    “By systematically integrating these elements, I can enhance our work’s effectiveness and create lasting positive change in the community.”

    Proposed plans going forward

    “After completing the Sora Kaufman fellowship program, I plan to leverage the skills and insights I’ve gained to pursue opportunities that align with my passion. I envision engaging in projects that promote my goals such as community development, innovation, or sustainability and potentially collaborating with organizations or initiatives that share similar values.”

    “Additionally, I aim to share my experiences through mentorship or workshops to inspire others on their journeys. Overall, I hope to make a meaningful impact in my field and contribute positively to my community.”

  • Martin Rasheed Musah: Sora Kaufman Fellow

    35-year-old Martin Rasheed Musah is a native of Bolgatanga, capital of the Upper East Region of Ghana and aspires to become a global development practitioner.

    As one of the pioneer Fellows of ACA’s Sora Kaufman Fellowship, Martin is endowed with diverse experiences in the field of community development, particularly community-led development (CLD).

    Having worked over the years with various civil society organisations, state institutions and individually operating a social enterprise organization, his in-depth knowledge and understanding in community development projects are immeasurable.

    He successfully completed one year service as a volunteer with Corps Africa as one of the first cohorts of Ghana, facilitating his host community to identify, design and implement a basic school project.

    Education

    Martin is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Governance and Development Studies at the Local Government Institute of Ghana, having pursued a Higher National Diploma in integrated community development.

    He is a member of the International Association for Community Development, Community Development Practitioners Association of Ghana, YALINETWORK member, certified community development officer from the Rural Development College of Local Government Institute of Ghana and founder at Community AID Integrated Ghana.

    Integrating knowledge from fellowship

    Martin believes that his participation in the Fellowship program will enhance his capacity with new knowledge, skills and technical know-how coupled with the network and opportunities.

    “Therefore, the relevant experience acquired will strengthen my capacity to properly coordinate, manage and direct activities and projects initiated in communities of my work. I will ensure that I can train the staff at the community and organizational level to embrace new approaches and skills in their line of community work.”

    Proposed plans going forward

    “Per the strategic plans on, my work plan for next three years is to strengthen the capacity of Community Aid Integrated Ghana as an organization. CAI is a facilitating organization working with communities in the rural enterprise development area, therefore with the opportunity to undergo this unique project I will replicate my experiences to strengthen and enhance the organization’s efforts.

    The entire ACA family is happy to have you around and we wish you the very best of your stay.

    Congratulations!

  • Lamptey Benedicta Naa Odarkor: Sora Kaufman Fellow

    “I am passionate about the Sora Kaufman Fellowship program, which seeks to establish a network of African leaders and practitioners in community-driven development and advocacy. My journey, filled with both challenges and accomplishments, has shaped me into a committed individual dedicated to making a positive impact. From a young age, I have been passionate about helping others and improving the lives of those less fortunate”, Lamptey Benedicta Naa Odarkor, Sora Kaufman Fellow.

    Miss Naa Odarkor currently works as a Project Manager with the Community and Family Aid Foundation, where she plays a lead role in developing detailed project proposals and plans, including objectives, timelines, budgets, and resource requirements, often in response to funding opportunities.

    She also manages project budgets by tracking expenditures, ensuring cost-effectiveness, and preparing financial reports and coordinates the work of project team members – assigning tasks, setting deadlines, and ensuring alignment with project goals. Regularly monitoring project progress, adjusting strategies as needed to stay on track and achieve objectives.

    Furthermore, Miss Naa Odarkor acts as a liaison between the project team and external stakeholders to ensure clear and effective communication and maintains a comprehensive documentation of project processes, decisions, and outcomes for accountability and future reference to increased trust, support, and collaboration.

    According to her, her efforts have helped to enhance the organization’s capacity by improving project management processes, training staff, and developing best practices.

    “I ensure that the benefits of the projects are sustainable over the long term, providing lasting value to the target communities.”

    Education, successes

    Born on 14th December 1986, Miss Naa Odarkor, holds a bachelor’s degree in business commerce (Management option) from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, and a Higher National Diploma in Hospitality Management from Koforidua Technical University.

    Some of her notable achievements include successfully completing projects on time and within budget, achieving significant positive outcomes for the community, such as improved access to education, healthcare, and other critical services. I have also built and maintained strong relationships with stakeholders, contributing

    Experiences

    • Working with Willows International as a Field Educator on reproductive health in 2015.
    • Participating in a three-day community forum and rally organized by Ghana Reducing Our Carbon in August 2014, aimed at combating climate change and promoting renewable energy in Shama, Western Region.
    • Gaining diverse experience through roles at AFRAH International Hospital and T.I. Microfinance, where I interacted with people from various backgrounds.
    • Engaging with different cultural communities during my tertiary education and national service in the Eastern Region.

    Integrating knowledge from fellowship

    Integrating knowledge from the Sora Kaufman Fellowship program into my workplace and community development work involves applying the principles and skills learned to enhance my effectiveness and impact. She intends to do this through enhancing Community Engagement, building local capacity, promoting inclusivity and equity as well as fostering collaborative partnerships.

    Proposed plans going forward

    Upon completion of the Sora Kaufman Fellowship Program, Miss Naa Odarkor hopes to consider strategic plans aimed at maximizing the impact of her new skills and knowledge.

    She has these proposals that align with her career goals and aspirations:

    1. Implement Community Projects: Launch a Community Initiative: I will use the expertise gained during the fellowship to design and implement a community-driven project. I will focus on a pressing issue identified during the fellowship, such as improving local infrastructure, enhancing educational opportunities, or addressing health disparities.
    2. Strengthen Local Partnerships: Develop Collaborative Networks: I will build and strengthen partnerships with local organizations, government agencies, and other stakeholders. I will use the networks established during the fellowship to foster collaboration on community development initiatives.
    3. Enhance Capacity Building: Conduct Training Workshops: I will offer training and workshops to local community leaders, organizations, and stakeholders on skills and knowledge gained during the fellowship. I will focus on areas such as project management, community engagement, and resource mobilization.

    Congratulations to you, Miss Naa Odarkor! ACA wishes you well in your 12-month journey with the Sora Kaufman Fellowship program.

  • Sora Kaufman Fellowship program kicks off in grand style

    The Sora Kaufman Fellowship, a flagship program by Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA) to establish a network of African leaders and practitioners in the field of community-driven development and advocacy, has commenced in earnest with the six pioneer fellows going through a month-long orientation at Asiakwa near Kyebi in the Eastern Region of Ghana.

    The six Fellows, who are practitioners who collaborate with relevant stakeholders to deal with community and systematic challenges that hinder accessibility and involvement of citizens in decision-making, are undergoing a rigorous orientation within the period ahead of the implementation of each one’s innovative project, which must be community-driven and in line with the objectives of the fellowship program.

    Depending on the project chosen, each Fellow shall receive a $5,000 to $10,000 grant toward the implementation of their projects.

    Welcoming the Fellows at the Daasebre Hotel at Asiakwa, where the month-long orientation is underway, Nana Ama Nketia-Quaidoo, ACA’s Director of Community-Driven Development (CDD) Department, explained that the Sora Kaufman Fellowship is a 12-month project meant for people who have love for community-driven initiatives and are passionate about seeing communities develop holistically.

    “This not a school, it’s an engagement session, we’re all here to learn from each other, share experiences, and so we’re expecting that your one-month stay here is going to be more engaging. Let’s be open-minded and share among ourselves the success stories at our workplaces vis-à-vis the challenges so that at the end of the day we all draw useful lessons from them”, she emphasised.

    She said community development is practiced differently in various parts of the country and Africa based on the interpretation of what constitutes community development “but how are we improving on the systems we have created for our own community, how have you used your community service to improve on the existing structures and systems.

    “For community development, we always say that we are not there to change culture, which is unique to each group of people practicing it, but to use the knowledge we have or acquired to improve on the existing systems.”

    She said ACA anticipates rolling out the Sora Kaufman Fellowship program across Africa in the long term and congratulated the pioneer participants for setting the pace for others to follow.

    Earlier, ACA’s Project Manager, Mr. Godfred Osei Nimako, provided an overview of the one-month orientation for the Fellows.

    According to him, the training will involve field trips to some ACA partner communities to interact with the people, spend some days in those communities and later meet with the Head of Local Government Service in Accra as well as engage in some entertainment activities.

  • Akrofufu Chief, others donate towards FCAP implementation

    The chiefs and people of ten communities in the Atiwa West District of the Eastern Region have expressed their commitment toward the timely and successful implementation of all projects under the Facilitated Collective Action Process (FCAP), also called “Oman yie die” in Ghana.

    To this end, the Chief of Akrofufu, Osabarima Adugye Gyamfi and his elders are supporting the construction of a 500-bed capacity dormitory for the Akrofufu Technical Institute, which is one of the new projects being implemented under FCAP, with Gh.c 10,000.

    In addition, the chief and his elders have resolved to support the construction of the project with communal labour to ensure that the project is completed on schedule.

    The project, according to them, will not increase enrollment at the Akrofufu Technical Institute but will further boost Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) in the area and the country as a whole.

    At a ceremony at Akrofufu to symbolically signify the commencement of construction works on FCAP project in Asunafo, Muoso, Ekorso Akwadum, Akwasuaso and Akrofufu, Osabarima Adugye Gyamfi commended the Atiwa West District Assembly and Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA), an Accra-based non-profit-making organization, for their collaboration which has resulted in several other projects across the area.

    A similar ceremony was held at Awenare to signify the commencement of projects in Pameng, Amonom, Banso, Akyem Akropong and Awenare.

    Madam Lordina Ofori-Atta, a native of Awenare, who was the Special Guest of Honour, donated Gh.c 10,000 toward the construction a 3-unit classroom block for the local Roman Catholic Junior High School and further pledged to galvanize support from Awenare citizens abroad in connection with other developmental initiatives in the town.

    The Atiwa West District Chief Executive, Douglas Puddy Amponsah described the collaboration with ACA as “very timely as it will not only bring visible improvements to the lives of residents but also carry the entire community along a development path that is in line with the Assembly’s Medium Term Development Plan.”

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

    “Any community member who does not participate in communal work in relation to this project willfully will be severely dealt with”, he emphasized.

    Geoffrey Fummey, a Community Trainer of ACA, recounted how the journey of community engagement to discuss, plan and choose a project of benefit to all started in March 2024 and with dedication, commitment and sacrifice of some devoted community members, the projects are finally being implemented.

    “I therefore encourage every community represented here to get to work immediately the sod is cut to finish their projects in good time. Remember we have just December 2024 as the deadline to complete all projects”, he stated.

    Background

    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.

  • 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.