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A Chiefs Council Meeting has been held in ACA partner-communities in the Eastern region of Ghana to deliberate on planning, implementation and post-implementation stages of FCAP.

This is the third time the council has met since the inception of FCAP implementation in the Eastern region.

The meeting that took place at Daasebre Agyeman Hotel in Asiakwa, brought together chiefs and queen mothers from 45 communities from Abuakwa South, Fanteakwa South and Atiwa West districts all in the Eastern region of Ghana.

The meeting afforded participants the opportunity to share their experiences about the important roles of chiefs in the planning, implementation and post-implementation phases of FCAP.

Some of the key issues raised at the meeting include the need for the chiefs to periodically participate in the community meetings and demonstrate transparency and accountability, to carry the entire community along in the process.

Participants at the meeting were unanimous that the FCAP implementation phases elicit democracy and communal spirit among the community members and commended ACA for spearheading this laudable initiative.

Concerns raised by the chiefs in communities at the planning phase included the lack of enthusiasm on the part of some community members and their limitations under the law to prescribe punishment for recalcitrant citizens.

The chiefs also asked ACA to deliberately invite queen mothers to subsequent meetings of this nature to shore up women participation in the process.

The communities which attended the meeting were Kplandey, Bosuso, Abompe, Hemang, Nsutam, Saamang, Dome Nkrankama, Subrima, Oboperko, Apedwa, Akyem Asafo, Kyebi Kwadum, Asunafo, Ehiamankyene, Dadetsunya, Ahinkwakorm, Lartemu, Adortoa, Asedja, Ahinkwasisi, Ekoso Akwadum and Akyem Banso.

The rest include Bepoase, Bomponso No.1, Gyampomani, Akyem Awenare, Kyem Maaso, Agyapomaa, Wirenkyi Amanfrom, Muoso, Adadientem, Adokwanta, Akyem Akropong, Apapam and Akrofufu.

The Director for Community-Driven Development (CDD) programs of Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA), Nana Ama Nketia-Quaidoo (Mrs); the Project Manager, Godfred Osei Nimako and Senior Trainer, Francis Manu took turns to address the meeting.

The Director for Community-Driven Development (CDD) programs of Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA), Nana Ama Nketia-Quaidoo (Mrs), has made a passionate appeal to ACA’s partner-district assemblies to be intentional about education and information sharing on the Facilitated Collective Action Process (FCAP) to their community members.

This, she believes, will ensure that the people are well informed about the implementation process of FCAP, also called “Oman yie die.”

Nana Ama Nketia-Quaidoo (Mrs) made this call during her presentation at the District Planning Coordinating Unit meeting of the Atiwa West District Assembly in the Eastern region of Ghana on Thursday April 18, 2024.

Mrs. Nketia-Quaidoo noted that although the communities have embraced and begun the FCAP activities, the district assemblies should make conscious efforts to periodically communicate and share updates on the partnership with their people as part of accountability and transparency.

She also pointed out that FCAP does not just leave communities with development trajectory but also a powerful tool that is effective for development of medium-term development plans for district Assemblies in Ghana.

Mr. Divine Seth Nuworbor, the Acting Coordinating Director for the Atiwa West District Assembly emphasized the assembly’s readiness to enhance the collaboration with ACA towards the successful implementation of FCAP in the district.

Also in the meeting were other staff of ACA namely, Elfried Dossavi-Messy, Coordinator for M&E and Communication; Godfred Osei Nimako, the Project Manager and Richard Kofi Boahen, the Communication officer.

On the side of the district assembly were the district development planning officer, the physical planning officer and a host of others.

The Abuakwa South Municipal Assembly in the Eastern region of Ghana has held its annual Town Hall Meeting at Kyebi to render accounts to the citizenry.

The program was organized in partnership with Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA), a non-profit-making organization, as part of efforts to ensure transparency, accountability and deepen local governance.

The Abuakwa South Municipal Chief Executive, Akosua Asabea Annoh, commended ACA for collaborating with the Assembly to execute community-driven projects in some towns in the area and called for the inclusion of more communities to further spread development among the towns.

She gave the assurance that the assembly will continue to partner with ACA to bring development to the doorsteps of the people and further appealed to the NGO to expand its operations to more communities in the area.

The Municipal Planning Officer, Aaron Addo Yirenkyi, made a presentation on the various infrastructural projects and other interventions by the assembly, the central government and other partners like ACA in the past year.

Most of the projects mentioned were in the areas of infrastructural development, economic empowerment, agriculture, health, education, sanitation and support to the physically challenged, among others.

The Municipal Budget Officer, Prince Kwame Agyapong, also explained the various sources of income to the assembly and expenditures made during the period.

ACA’s Project Manager, Godfred Osei Nimako emphasized the importance of community members’ involvement in sustainable development initiatives as it is cost-effective and elicits a deep sense of community ownership and cooperation among the people.

He said the Facilitated Collective Action Process (FCAP) is the main tool being used by ACA to execute projects with its partner local authorities in Ghana.

He said following its successful piloting in seven communities in Bono East and Eastern regions, FCAP is being rolled out in a hundred more communities, with 55 beneficiary communities at various stages of completion of their selected projects.

Mr. Osei Nimako said in addition to Asikam and Ahwenease, 15 more communities in Abuakwa South have been selected to implement FCAP this year.

“I will urge each of us to deeply get involved in the FCAP process at the community level while ACA and the assembly also contribute their part in its implementation”, he emphasised.

The Project Manager was worried about the inability of some community members to meet periodically as required under the FCAP implementation process and called for a renewed commitment by such people for the mutual benefit of all, saying: “There is strength in unity and so if we come together as one people there is a lot we can achieve for ourselves.”

Mr. George Owusu Asante of Akyem Juaso, the National Vice-President of the Citizens Committee Network (CiCoNet), was in a state of disbelief when ACA’s Legal Officer, Mustapha Mahamah, broke the news to him that Kibi Goldfields Ltd (KGL) have finally fully compensated him for his lost lands, which were taken about two and half years ago by Kibi’s sub-contractor, BSD Mining Services.

“I’m speechless, and I don’t even know what to say except to thank God and ACA for the relentless fight for my rights all these years. The advocacy mounted by the Citizens Committee Network (CiCoNet) has really paid off, and I’m so grateful”, Mr Asante said.

Mr. Asante is among several people in Juaso and nearby communities, such as Sagyemase and Nsuapemso, who lost their farmlands to mining companies in the past few years. In most of the cases, several of the affected landowners were paid only a small fraction of the replacement cost of their land and crops as compensation, and the mining companies failed to respect the procedures for acquiring land as set out in Ghana’s Minerals and Mining Act 2006, Act 703.  The loss of land without adequate compensation has deprived entire households of their main sources of livelihood.

Background

On behalf of the people of Juaso, Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA) addressed petitions to the Minerals Commission and the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources in July 2022, complaining that KGL and its subsidiaries and sub-contractors had repeatedly violated laws and regulations relating to the public disclosure of mining plans on community land, as well as the prior negotiation and adequate compensation of those whose surface rights are disturbed by new mining operations.  The Ministry responded with a promise to hold KGL and other mining companies to account but has yet to take concrete action.

In 2023, the CiCoNet of Juaso and the nearby communities of Sagyimase and Nsuapemso filed a complaint with the Minerals Commission about mining companies’ unfilled mining pits.  The Minerals Commission undertook a tour of the affected sites and ordered KGL and others to remediate them.

Media campaign

In July 2023, CiCoNet led a team of Ghanaian journalists to some mining areas in Juaso and Nsuapemso to witness the devastating effects of mining activities in these areas, especially with regard to the havoc created by uncovered mining pits, diversion of water bodies, the destruction of farmlands and mining activities close to settlements.

This elicited immediate response from the Minerals Commission, which then began engaging ACA, CiCoNet and the mining companies on the way forward. BSD Mining Services initially agreed to fully compensate Mr George Owusu Asante for taking over his farmlands for mining activities, but the company ultimately closed its operations and left the site without fulfilling this promise.

ACA’s legal team then reached out to Kibi Goldfields, which is ultimately responsible for compliance with all laws – including on compensation – within its concession.  On Tuesday April 2, 2024, Kibi officially issued the cheque to ACA’s Legal Officer, Mustapha Mahamah, who in turn presented it to Mr. George Owusu Asante, the following day.

ACA is an Accra-based non-profit-making organization that supports West African communities threatened by extractive activities by multinational entities to take control of their own development and give them the tools to advocate for their own vision of the future.

It was a mixture of education and entertainment as about 90 members of the Citizens Committee Network (CiCoNet) in Fanteakwa South, Abuakwa South and Atiwa West districts of the Eastern region were taken through a day’s training program on the basics of air quality.

CiCoNet members from Juaso, Nsuapemso, Sagyemase, Abompe, Dwenase, Hemang, Dome, Saamang, Nsutam, Kplandey, Bososo, Ahwenease and Asikam converged at Asiakwa for the training organized by Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA), an Accra-based non-profit-making organisation that supports West African communities threatened by extractive activities by multinational entities to take control of their own development and give them the tools to advocate for their own vision of the future.

ACA’s Science Advisor, Dr. Kwabina Ibrahim, took the participants through topics such as Conventional Air Pollutants, Climate Pollutants and Health Effects of Air Pollution, among others.

He explained that some human activities have adverse impacts on the ozone layer thereby contributing to the much talked about climate change.

Sharing what she learnt from the workshop, Madam Gladys Adwoa Aso of Nsutam CiCoNet noted that the program had taught her that poor air quality has adverse health implications on crops and rainwater.

“I learnt that the quality of rainwater has changed over time due to the change in the environment and so going forward, I won’t be drinking rainwater as I used to do due to is associated the health implications.”

Another participant, Juliet Konama of Sagyemase CiCoNet, described the workshop as an eye opener as she learnt a lot about how various household activities contribute to air pollution.

“I do set fire on my refuse every day, and I’ve learnt today that the smoke emanating from such fires do contribute to air pollution and so I need to figure out better ways of disposing off my refuse. Even if I should continue setting fire on my refuse, I must wear nose-mask to protect myself against any infections”, she explained.

For her part, Miss Gertrude Oppong of Asikam CiCoNet said she had learnt to report any organisation or an individual that engages in activities which pollute the environment to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the appropriate action to be taken.

About CiCoNet

Citizens’ Committee Network (CiCoNet) is ACA’s answer to the threat that our partner communities face from powerful economic interests.  Whereas FCAP gives communities hope for a better economic future, CiCoNet is an interface group of concerned citizens who help protect the communities’ development vision.  CiCoNet members are trained to speak with government officials and other stakeholders on behalf of their communities, raising concerns in ways that allow local authorities to help resolve key community concerns.

Through CiCoNet, our communities have won key victories, such as prompting the suspension of a highly polluting mining company’s operating permit and inducing companies to fill abandoned pits that endangered the welfare of children and livestock.

Community-Based Facilitators (CBFs) play a lead role in the implementation of the Facilitated Collective Action Process (FCAP), which aims at strengthening local participation in the implementation of the medium-term development plans of some selected district and municipal assemblies in Ghana.

These CBFs are responsible for mobilizing their communities and monitoring projects being implemented under FCAP, otherwise known as “Oman yie die.”

They usually undergo a week-long training prior to the implementation of the FCAP in their respective communities. One of such training programmes has taken place at Nkoranza in the Bono East region for some staff of the Nkoranza South Municipal Assembly and CBFs from Asuano, Barnofour, Abountem, Akuma, Brahoho, Nkwabeng, Akumsa Domase, Bonso and Bredi, all in Nkoranza South as well as Akwabuoso and Ekorso Akwadum in the Atiwa West district of the Eastern region.

The training was organised by the Community-Driven Development (CDD) department of Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA), a non-profit-making organisation which supports West African communities facing threats to their human rights at the hands of multinational corporations.

There were presentations, focused-group discussions, role-plays and field visits to selected communities which have successfully implemented FCAP, among others. At the end of the training session, some of the participants shared their views about the lessons they had learnt. We bring you excerpts of views shared by some of the participants after the training program in Nkoranza.

 

Gifty Acheampong, Assistant Planning Officer, Nkoranza South Municipal Assembly

This training has taught me that we can implement projects by paying less when we involve the community members because when they are being involved, they own the project and can support us in so many ways that we cannot even quantify in monetary terms to undertake the project as we want it to look like.

 

John Tuffuor, Community-Based Facilitator, Akuma, Nkoranza South, Bono East

If for nothing at all, I have learnt to be bold when leading a group of people and as the CBF for my community, this would help me in my daily work. Also, I noticed that community-driven projects undertaken through FCAP is cost-effective as compared to similar projects executed by the government so I will recommend to the government to critically study this concept and replicate it in the various districts. I think government can collaborate with ACA to make this happen. This concept of community development carries the entire community along, with community members assisting with communal labour so it’s helpful.

 

Kwame Bonsu, Community-Based Facilitator, Baanofour, Nkoranza South, Bono East

Before coming to this training session, I didn’t know how to speak at a gathering. I always found it difficult speak out in public but today I can boldly speak and express myself anywhere I find myself, thanks to this training by ACA. So, for me, that is one of the main benefits I have derived from the training program.

 

Eric Owusu, Community-Based Facilitator, Akumsa Domase, Nkoranza South, Bono East

Through this training, I have learnt that even as an individual, I should be able to mobilize and organize my community for development. I have learnt how to lead discussions about development initiatives in my community and I’m positive that I’m going to live up to expectation and help push the development of my community forward.

 

Peter Donkor, Community-Based Facilitator, Bredi No.1, Nkoranza South, Bono East

One thing I have picked up from this training is that there is power in unity. If a community comes together with one accord, there is a lot they can do to turn their fortunes round.

 

Abraham Ayisa, Community-Based Facilitator, Ekorso Akwadum, Atiwa West district (Eastern Region)

The need to encourage women’s participation in decision-making at the community level was key at the training programme. In view of this, there is the need to deeply involve women in all the discussions about the planning, execution, monitoring and completion of the project.

 

Felicity Acquah, Community-Based Facilitator, Akwabuoso, Atiwa West district (Eastern Region)

Through this training, I have come to the realization that if the local government authority would allow communities to have a say in project identification and implementation, it would go a long way to galvanize more support and enthusiasm from the people in the process. This will also ensure that the community members will embrace the project and support its execution whole-heartedly.

 

Prince Kwabena Owusu, Community-Based Facilitator, Nkwabeng, Nkoranza South, Bono East

This training has had enormous benefits in us as participants. First of all, it has instilled in us the spirit of communalism and also engendered networking among people from other communities, which will help us a lot, going forward. I have learnt that once there is unity of purpose among us as a community, devoid of divisive tendencies, we can really achieve a lot.

 

Benjamin Opoku, Community-Based Facilitator, Brahoho, Nkoranza South, Bono East

ACA has really supported several communities to take control of their futures and I am of the conviction that my community will soon be able to reach that level of development when we also start the implementation of FCAP.

 

Seth Owusu Boadi, Unit Head, Community Development, Nkoranza South Municipal Assembly

This training reminds me of a quote by Ghana’s first president, Dr. Kwame Nkrumah, that: “The black man is capable of managing his own affairs.” What this this means to us is that the communities can take their destinies into their own hands, have a common vision and pursue it to their own benefit without necessarily waiting for the government. One lesson here is that, when the community initiates and leads in the implementation of a project, that project becomes very successful and very useful.