Advocates Redesign

Tag: ACA

  • Confidence Dominic Bedzina: Blending Academic Excellence with Practical Development Leadership

    The two-week in-person training for our three Fellows finally ended last Friday. Even as our Fellows zoom into the next phase of their training, which will mostly be through online, we want to know more about one of them – Confidence Dominic Bedzina.

    Confidence is a purpose-driven development professional with a strong blend of academic excellence, project leadership, and community service.

    Currently pursuing a Master of Science in Development Management at Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), Confidence brings a solid foundation in Banking and Finance from the University of Professional Studies, Accra, complemented by years of hands-on experience in development-oriented projects.

    His career reflects a deep commitment to social impact, particularly in child, youth, and community development initiatives supported by both local and international partners.

    With proven expertise in project management, financial oversight, and community development, Confidence has successfully served leadership roles across multiple non-profit and volunteer organizations.

    As Director of Projects at the Amankwakrom Pentecost Child & Youth Development Centre, he oversees impactful, Compassion International–assisted programs, ensuring accountability, sustainability, and measurable outcomes.

    His professional journey also highlights strong competencies in monitoring and evaluation, global health project management, and leadership—skills further strengthened through certifications from the University of Washington and GIMPA.

    Known for his proactive mindset, teamwork, and excellent communication skills, Confidence Dominic Bedzina is a disciplined, results-oriented professional eager to contribute meaningfully to reputable institutions and development-focused organizations.

  • Juliet Nyarko Adansi: Advancing Gender Equality and Youth Empowerment Through Transformative Development Leadership

    Today, we put the spotlight on Juliet Nyarko Adansi, one of our three Fellows. Juliet is a Ghanaian development practitioner passionate about advancing gender equality, youth empowerment, and inclusive education across Africa. She is committed to creating safe and supportive environments where girls and young people can thrive, learn, and lead.

    She holds a Postgraduate Diploma in International Gender Equality Studies from the University of Iceland and a Postgraduate Diploma in Monitoring & Evaluation from GIMPA. Juliet earned her bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST), where she developed a strong grounding in social systems, community development, and gender analysis.

    Juliet currently serves as the Ghana Programs Manager for Seeds of Fortune Inc., where she oversees national program implementation supporting African girls in leadership development, financial literacy, and scholarship access.

    She is also the Founder and Executive Director of the JOYA Foundation and the visionary behind the Keep Her in School Project, which she has led since 2021 to address menstrual health education and gender-based barriers affecting girls’ academic participation.

    Her work has recorded notable successes, including reaching over ten communities with menstrual health education, strengthening school-based gender awareness, and supporting girls and young women to access leadership and learning opportunities. Juliet has held several leadership and representation roles, including serving as Ghana’s Regional Leader for the UN Foundation’s Girl Up initiative, a National Coordinator for the African Union’s Centre of Excellence for Girls’ and Women’s Education in Africa (AU CIEFFA), a member of the She Africa Movement, and a Youth Delegate to the Council of Europe, where she contributed to youth policy dialogue and international advocacy.

    In 2025, Juliet worked as a consultant on the develoPPP Ventures Ghana program with TKC Africa and GIZ/GreenTec, supporting startup selection, due diligence, and ecosystem convening. Across her journey, she has worked with organizations including The Pearl Safe Haven and Obaapa Development Foundation.

    Looking ahead, Juliet plans to deepen community-led development practice, scale the Keep Her in School Instructor Training Program nationally, and strengthen JOYA Foundation as a platform for sustainable youth and women-focused interventions across Ghana.

    We at ACA are delighted to have you on board this year’s Sora Kaufman Fellowship. Congrats!

  • Cohort 2 of the Sora Kaufman Fellowship Kicks Off Intensive Training in Asiakwa

    Three individuals selected for the second cohort of the prestigious Sora Kaufman Fellowship, have arrived safely at Asiakwa in the Abuakwa South Municipality of Ghana’s Eastern Region to on a two-week intensive training program. They are Amada-Smith Richmond, Bedzina Confidence Dominic, and Juliet Nyarko Adansi.

    The fellowship, widely recognized as ACA’s flagship initiative, is dedicated to cultivating a vibrant network of African leaders committed to advancing community-driven development (CDD) and grassroots advocacy across the continent.

    The program is designed for practitioners working directly with communities and local institutions to address systemic challenges that limit citizens’ participation in governance and decision-making.

    Through hands-on learning, collective exchanges, and strategic networking, the fellowship strengthens expertise in collective action, human rights, advocacy, and local governance systems.

    This year’s cohort follows the successful completion of a month-long immersive training by the inaugural group, whose impact continues to ripple across their respective communities.

    Opening session

    The opening ceremony will bring together distinguished leaders and facilitators who embody the vision of the fellowship. ACA’s Executive Director, Jonathan Kaufman; the Municipal Chief Executive of the Abuakwa South Municipal Assembly, Nana Adu Sarpong Addo-Aikins; and ACA’s Director of Community-Driven Development, Nana Ama Nketia-Quaidoo, will welcome the fellows. Members of Cohort 1 will also participate to share insights, inspire the new fellows, and foster cross-cohort learning.

    Following the welcome session, fellows will explore their expectations, fears, and ground rules, creating a transparent environment that promotes trust and collaboration. An official ACA/Fellowship Agreement Signing will formalize their commitment to the program’s values and objectives.

    The core of the training will introduce fellows to the essential pillars of CDD. Sessions will cover the introduction to community driven development, theories and concepts of collective action and rudiments, stages, advantages, and challenges of collective action

    These modules will guide fellows in understanding how collective mobilization influences sustainable development outcomes and community resilience.

    Daily evaluations and reflections will ensure continuous learning and adaptation, strengthening fellows’ ability to critically assess their roles as development practitioners.

    Field-Based Learning: FCAP in Practice

    A major highlight of the first week will be a field visit to observe a Facilitated Collective Action Plan (FCAP) meeting. Here, fellows will witness how different segments of a community contribute to local decision-making processes, an eye-opening opportunity to see collective action unfold in real time.

    After the field experience, fellows will return for a detailed debrief, unpacking their observations and articulating how these lessons can be applied in diverse development contexts.

    Community stay

    Midway through the program, fellows will pack up for a transformative community stay, departing to the Papaye Recreational Village. This immersion is designed to strengthen understanding of CDD principles by allowing fellows to live, engage, and work closely with community members.

    Upon return, a structured session will invite fellows to reflect on their experiences with community life, challenges encountered, personal and professional insights gained and what could be done differently in future CDD engagements

    These reflections are expected to deepen empathy, refine field skills, and broaden perspectives on people-centered development.

    Storytelling, Stakeholder Engagement, and Work-Life Balance

    As the training progresses, fellows will participate in a special webinar on effective communication and storytelling, equipping them with tools to document and share community impact stories compellingly.

    Another critical module will focus on stakeholder engagement with MMDAs, local authorities, chiefs, and community structures. Fellows will learn best practices for navigating local governance systems, a vital skill for any community development practitioner.

    Additional sessions will address monitoring and evaluation techniques, balancing family life, health ethics, and demanding development work, overview of post–on-site fellowship activities

    These sessions ensure that fellows not only develop technical competence but are also prepared for the personal and emotional demands of development practice.

    Looking Ahead

    With its blend of theory, practice, reflection, and community immersion, the Sora Kaufman Fellowship continues to establish itself as a leading program shaping Africa’s next generation of community development leaders.

    As Cohort 2 begins their journey in Asiakwa, they carry forward a growing legacy, one grounded in collaboration, empowerment, and a deep commitment to ensuring communities across Africa have a stronger voice in shaping their own development futures.

  • ACA invests $240,000 in development projects across 30 Fanteakwa South communities

    Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA), an Accra-based international non-governmental organization, has injected $240,000 into various development initiatives across 30 communities in the Fanteakwa South District of the Eastern Region over the past five years.

    According to Nana Ama Nketia-Quaidoo, ACA’s Director of Community-Driven Development, each of the 30 beneficiary communities received $8,000 from ACA, with the Fanteakwa South District Assembly contributing an additional $1,000 per community.

    Beneficiary communities include Juaso, Nsuapemso, Saamang, Abompe, Bosuso, Subrima, Nsutam, and Nsuta-Dahomey, among others.

    Range of projects

    Speaking at a Town Hall Meeting organized by the District Assembly at Saamang near Osino, Mrs. Nketia-Quaidoo highlighted that the projects undertaken include:

    • Three (3) clinics
    • Thirteen (13) mechanized boreholes
    • Seven (7) school blocks
    • Two (2) teachers’ bungalows
    • A poultry farm
    • Two (2) black soap production centers
    • A bridge
    • A concrete road
    • a market centre
    • Electricity extension to two communities and
    • Two community centers

    She commended the chiefs and people of Saamang, Subrima, and Nsuta-Dahomey for their exceptional communal spirit, which she said greatly facilitated the speedy implementation of their respective projects.

    “These are communities whose cooperation and commitment have been exemplary,” she said, urging other communities to emulate their example.

    Mrs. Nketia-Quaidoo also advised local leaders to properly document lands earmarked for development to prevent future disputes and encouraged constructive collaboration among opinion leaders to ensure continuity in development efforts.

    “Development is not about positions or personal interests — it’s about continuity and shared responsibility,” she emphasized.

    She further noted that accountability should be a two-way process, calling on citizens to not only demand transparency from authorities but also play their part responsibly in community development. She urged traditional leaders to periodically hold accountability sessions with their people.

    Continuity

    In her remarks, Mercy Akosua Korang, the District Chief Executive (DCE) for Fanteakwa South, assured residents that the government remains committed to completing all ongoing Agenda 111 hospital projects across the country.

    She said the government is currently reviewing the contractual agreements for the projects and will resume work soon.

    “Governance is a continuous process. The Agenda 111 projects will not be abandoned — they will be completed for the benefit of all,” she assured.

    Responding to a question about the status of the Agenda 111 project at Nsuapemso Junction, the DCE confirmed that construction would soon resume and appealed for public confidence in the government’s commitment to deliver.

    Ongoing District Projects

    Mrs. Korang further disclosed that several development projects are underway in the district, including road construction works, the establishment of two new CHPS compounds renovation and construction of school blocks, installation of additional mechanized boreholes

    She appealed for continued cooperation from chiefs and residents to ensure the smooth execution of these projects.

    Officials from the Assembly — including the District Coordinating Director, Budget Analyst, Planning Officer, Works Engineer, and a representative of the Member of Parliament — also addressed the gathering.

    Equitable Development

    Barima Dr. Ofori Nyarko Tetepo II, the Chief of Saaman, who chaired the meeting, commended the Assembly for engaging citizens and promoting accountability. He, however, urged authorities to ensure a fair distribution of development projects across the district.

    He also proposed the establishment of a major market center to boost local commerce, offering 20 acres of land for the initiative.

    “A central market will enhance trade and open up economic opportunities for our people,” he said.

  • Second mangrove planting strengthens climate resilience in Niafrang, Senegal

    Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA) has successfully supported the second community-led mangrove planting in Niafrang, Senegal, as part of its ongoing efforts to promote environmental restoration and climate resilience across West Africa.

    This year’s exercise brought together residents, traditional leaders, and youth groups from Niafrang and neighboring communities such as Kabadio and Abéné, who joined hands to plant hundreds of mangrove seedlings along the Niafrang shoreline.

    The activity forms part of ACA’s broader initiative to restore degraded coastal ecosystems, enhance fisheries, and strengthen natural protection against coastal erosion and flooding caused by climate change.

    “Community-led restoration lies at the heart of ACA’s mission,” said Dr. Kwabina Ibrahim, ACA’s Science Lead. “By engaging youth from neighboring communities, we are helping to build a stronger, united front for environmental stewardship across the Casamance coastline.”

    This second mangrove planting builds on the success of previous efforts and reaffirms the community’s commitment to sustainable environmental management. The project reflects ACA’s ongoing collaboration with local partners to advance community-driven conservation and sustainable development in the region.

    Together, we grow a greener and more resilient Niafrang, Senegal.

  • ACA Partners Kaeme Cosmetics and Bohten Eyewear to Mark World Sight Day in Akyem Juaso

    As part of this year’s World Sight Day celebrations, Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA), in partnership with Kaeme Cosmetics and Bohten Eyewear, organized a comprehensive skincare and eye health outreach program on Wednesday, October 8, 2025.

    The event, held at Juaso in the Fanteakwa South District of Ghana’s Eastern Region, brought together residents of ACA’s black soap-making communities—Juaso and Bosuso—as well as other members of the wider community for a day dedicated to wellness, education, and preventive healthcare.

    The outreach combined free eye screening services, skincare education, and health talks aimed at improving the overall well-being of local artisans, many of whom are women engaged in the traditional production of black soap—a culturally significant and economically vital product in Ghana and across the globe.

    Empowering Soap Makers Through Health

    ACA, a non-governmental organization that empowers West African communities to take control of their development, recognized that sustaining traditional livelihoods like black soap production must go together with ensuring artisans’ health and wellness.

    “Black soap production requires precision, attention to detail, and the handling of natural materials—often over open fires or in sunlit conditions. Good eyesight is essential,” said Nana Ama Nketia-Quaidoo, ACA’s Director of Community-Driven Development (CDD), during the event.

    “We want our community members to thrive not only economically but physically. This initiative is about supporting the full health and productivity of the people who sustain this cultural craft.”

    Hundreds of community members participated in the free eye screenings, conducted by licensed optometrists. Attendees were examined for common eye conditions such as glaucoma, cataracts, and vision impairments, with some receiving referrals for further treatment or corrective lenses.

    Bohten Eyewear, a company known for its eco-conscious and stylish frames, also donated eyewear and provided information about eye care and protection.

    A Holistic Approach to Wellness

    Kaeme Cosmetics, a premium Ghanaian company specialising in personal care products such as shea soufflé, liquid black soap, soy candles and African-print toiletry bags, offered skin care education and product samples to attendees. Their team emphasized the importance of skin protection for artisans regularly exposed to heat, smoke, and harsh environmental conditions during soap production.

    “We believe that beauty and health are interconnected,” said a representative from Kaeme. “Many of the ingredients used in traditional soap making—like shea butter and palm kernel oil—have amazing properties. It’s important for the producers to understand how to protect and nourish their own skin while crafting products that nourish others.”

    The event was interactive and engaging, featuring live demonstrations, Q&A sessions with health professionals, and educational talks on both eye and skin health. Community members also shared personal stories about how vision and skin issues have affected their work, underscoring the importance of regular health screenings and access to information.

    Looking Ahead

    As World Sight Day draws attention globally to the importance of eye health, ACA’s localized celebration in Juaso highlights how targeted, community-driven initiatives can make a tangible impact. The collaboration between ACA, Kaeme Cosmetics, and Bohten Eyewear shows a powerful model of public-private partnership focused on sustainable development and human-centered care.

  • ACA builds climate resilience capacity in Nkoranza South

    As part of its ongoing efforts to strengthen community adaptation to climate change, Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA) continues to empower local networks to lead sustainable development initiatives across its partner communities.

    In the Nkoranza South Municipality of the Bono East Region, the Citizens Committee Network (CiCoNet), an advocacy arm of ACA, has reaffirmed its commitment to tackling the impacts of climate change through a capacity-building workshop on climate resilience and sustainable livelihoods.

    The workshop, organized by ACA for CiCoNet, brought together 90 participants from 20 communities within the municipality. Its goal was to deepen community understanding of climate change, promote the adoption of climate-resilient technologies, and explore alternative livelihood strategies to help households thrive amid growing environmental challenges.

    Facilitated by Dr. Kwabina Ibrahim, ACA’s Science Lead, the sessions offered participants practical insights into climate adaptation measures, sustainable agricultural practices, and community-led strategies for mitigating climate risks.

    Dr. Ibrahim underscored the importance of integrating climate awareness into daily activities, emphasizing that: “communities must become climate-oriented to ensure that their livelihoods remain sustainable and thriving despite changing weather conditions.”

    During discussions, Mr. Daniel Akake, a CiCoNet representative from Kyekyewere, called for access to localized rainfall data to better prepare for drought conditions, highlighting the vital role of climate information in community-based planning and resilience building.

    Mrs. So Abapa Boateng, ACA’s Community Trainer in Nkoranza South, reiterated ACA’s commitment to supporting communities through knowledge sharing and innovation and encouraged CiCoNet members to share the knowledge gained with their respective communities and to document best practices for possible replication elsewhere.

    She emphasized that CiCoNet must continue to serve as the active voice of communities at the municipal level, ensuring that community-driven development benefits everyone.

  • Ten communities graduate from FCAP after successful project implementation

    In a colourful and inspiring graduation ceremony at Amanfrom, ten communities in the Abuakwa South Municipality of Ghana’s Eastern Region have been celebrated for the successful completion of their community-driven development projects under the Facilitated Collective Action Process (FCAP). Also called “Oman yie die”, the initiative, led by the Accra-based NGO Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA), is empowering rural communities to identify their own development priorities, mobilize resources, and implement solutions for long-term impact.

    Each of the graduating communities has implemented a unique project tailored to its most pressing needs, achieving tangible results aligned with key success indicators. The ceremony served not only as a recognition of their achievements, but also as a testament to the power of grassroots participation in sustainable development.

    Livelihoods and Economic Empowerment

    To combat unemployment and boost local income, the Apapam community has completed a Pig Farm Venture aimed at reducing unemployment by 5% by 2025. The initiative also targets a 20% income increase for pig traders and a 15% growth in their savings.

    Similarly, Obopekonya has built a Palm Oil Processing Centre that is projected to increase employment among local palm oil producers by 20% and boost the income and savings of palm oil traders by another 20% within a year.

    In Obopeko, residents are already benefiting from a newly constructed Corn Mill Processing Centre, which will allow between 20% to 50% more community members to process their corn and gari locally. The project is expected to raise farmers’ incomes by 20% and drastically reduce the distance they previously had to travel—more than 5km—to process their crops.

    Amanfrom has successfully launched a mini-market project designed to tackle rural unemployment. Projections show the project will reduce unemployment by 15% by 2026, increase market traders’ income by 40%, and raise their savings by 20%.

    Water and Sanitation Improvements

    Access to potable water—a long-standing challenge in many rural communities—was tackled head-on by three of the graduating communities. Asiakwa, Addo Nkwanta, and Adadientem have each completed mechanized borehole projects, significantly improving water access and public health. These projects aim to reduce the average distance to safe water from over 5km to under 1km, cut waterborne diseases from 50% to 10% in the first year, and boost access to clean water by 25% within 18 months.

    Infrastructure for Safety and Trade

    Communities like Bomponso and Lartemu tackled mobility and safety challenges with the construction of Foot Bridges. These critical infrastructures are expected to reduce accidents and fatalities by 15%, improve access to nearby communities by 50%, and boost local trade by 20% within the first year.

    Powering Progress

    The Adortoa community celebrated the successful implementation of an Electricity Extension Project. This game-changing initiative is forecast to increase economic activities by 30%, improve academic outcomes among students by 25%, and enhance security in the community by 40% over the next 12 months.

    A Model for Community-Led Development

    Speaking at the graduation ceremony, representatives from ACA commended the communities for their dedication, unity, and vision. “These projects show that when communities are empowered to take charge of their own development, the results are remarkable. FCAP is not just a process; it’s a movement towards sustainable, people-driven transformation,” ACA’s Senior Trainer, Francis Manu noted.

    Traditional leaders, government representatives, and community members all praised the FCAP initiative, with many calling for its expansion across more districts in the Eastern Region and beyond.

    The Abuakwa South Municipal Chief Executive, Nana Adu Sarpong Addo Aikins, who graced the occasion with his presence, inaugurated the Amanfrom market.

    He assured the gathering of his unwavering commitment towards the completion of the remaining projects being implemented in partnership with ACA.

    As these ten communities move forward, their projects are set to serve as models of success and inspiration for other rural areas seeking to shape their own development paths. The graduation marks a milestone—but for these communities, it is only the beginning of a brighter, self-driven future.

  • From classroom to community: Delta State University scientists and students take science into the field

    What happens when students leave their lecture halls and step into farms, boreholes, and villages? At Delta State University in Abraka, Nigeria, they found out. A community science training workshop, led by Dr. Ibrahim, the main resource person, moved science beyond theory—teaching lecturers, researchers, and students how to practice science with communities, not just for them. The aim was to build a pipeline of local expertise that listens first, tests carefully, and turns results into action.

    Supported by Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA), the sessions blended short lectures with hands-on practicums. Dr. Ibrahim guided participants through the fundamentals of community science, using manuals specially prepared for the training. These manuals covered practical steps—from sampling protocols to interpreting results—and became take-home references for participants, ensuring the learning wouldn’t end with the workshop.

    Student teams worked alongside faculty to design simple, rigorous protocols: how to plan a sampling route, label and store samples, document field conditions, and present results in plain language. For many, it was the first time method met real-world urgency.

    Paul Adjekota, an ACA Science Fellow, mentored mixed groups of students and staff, emphasizing how data should drive decisions. “It’s not just the number,” he reminded them. “It’s what the number makes you do next.”

    Professor Oghenero Ohwoghere-Asuma deepened the water-quality module, showing students how to evaluate borehole placement and interpret coliform results without jargon. In field drills, students practiced pumping and purging, sterile collection, and chain-of-custody steps—then presented what those results would mean to a village committee.

    Dr. (Mrs.) Abushe led the organic manure exercise, turning a patch of ground into a living lab. Students laid out small plots, applied manure at different rates, and logged changes in soil structure and crop vigor. Back in the lab, they compared soil pH, organic matter, and nutrient readings, linking them directly to what they had seen in the field.

    Students’ voices shaped the week. A final-year student admitted: “I used to think statistics ended at the spreadsheet. Now I see how a clear chart can change how a farmer spends money.” A master’s candidate added: “Designing a protocol with the community made me tighten my methods—and my explanations.”

    By the end, the cohort co-authored mini briefs pairing data with action points: move boreholes away from septic systems; lime acidic soils using affordable local materials; combine organic manure with targeted fertilizer only where tests show a gap. Lecturers committed to embedding these modules in their teaching, and students proposed capstones that would return to partner communities to track outcomes in the next farming season.

    The impact is already visible. Equipped with manuals and new skills, small mixed teams of students and staff are ready to support water testing in Igbogidi, soil clinics in DSC and Orhuwhorun, and follow-up trials on organic amendments.

    Delta State University’s lesson is clear: when scientists and students learn to listen, test, and explain, knowledge flows in both ways. Community gains practical tools; the university gains relevance; and a new generation leaves campus ready to turn evidence into healthier water, stronger soils, and better harvests.

  • Farming under pressure: How Orhuwhorun farmers discovered the secrets of their soil

    In Orhuwhorun, urbanization is closing in fast. Farmland is shrinking, but families still need to eat. To survive, farmers plant the same plots repeatedly, pouring on fertilizer in the hope of rescuing their crops. The result has been rising costs, declining yields, and growing frustration.

    In December 2024, twelve farmers came together to try something different in the town, located in the north-eastern part of the Udu Local Government Area of Delta State in Nigeria. With the support of Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA), they turned to community science—a way to put scientific tools in the hands of ordinary people. For many, it was the first time they heard that soil itself could be tested, and that its hidden properties could reveal why crops were struggling.

    The training was simple but powerful. Farmers learned how to collect soil samples properly, drying and sieving them before sending them to the lab. They asked questions, shared doubts, and slowly began to see the soil not as a mystery, but as something that could be understood.

    When the results arrived, the findings spoke volumes. Nitrogen levels were acceptable, but phosphorus and potassium—the nutrients plants need most—were often low. Some soils were highly acidic, while others had very high conductivity, meaning valuable nutrients could easily wash away. Suddenly, the yellowing cassava leaves, and stunted maize crops made sense.

    The farmers also discovered that solutions were within reach. They could neutralize acidity by using locally available materials such as burnt palm bunch stems or dolomitic lime. They could restore fertility with organic manure and protect the soil by planting cover crops like melon or ground nuts. One farmer said: “I used to think fertilizer is fertilizer. Now I know the soil tells me which one to use and how much.” Another added: “I finally understand why my cassava kept failing—it wasn’t bad luck; it was the soil.”

    What began as a small workshop became a turning point. The farmers left with confidence, knowing that science was not beyond their reach. They understood that farming smarter—not harder—was the way forward, even on shrinking land.

    The lesson from Orhuwhorun is clear: when communities are empowered with knowledge, they can protect their soil, reduce waste, and secure food for their families. Science, once distant and abstract, has become a tool in their hands—a tool they can use to farm with hope instead of despair.