Abstract

Local Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) have contributed immensely towards providing clean water to rural people, and is partly the reason that much attention has been given to water projects that they either directly or indirectly fund when it comes to understanding the impacts of the projects on the beneficiaries.  This study, which assessed a local NGO in the Eastern region of Ghana (that is, Akuapem Community Development Programme) determined how this organization’s water project has impacted the people of rural Konko which it serves.  It also assessed whether and how their Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) committee involved the wider community in decision-making regarding planning, implementing and managing the project. The findings show that with the presence of the water project, the majority of the study participants were able to assess clean water in less time than they otherwise would have spent without the project. Also, they suffered fewer incidences of waterborne diseases and felt honoured having a water project in their community. What stood out in this study is how the residents had better access to water, in spite of limited involvement by the general community in decisions of the WATSAN committee concerning the project. About half of the participants were unaware of the means by which water became available. In the same way, many lacked the knowledge of how the day-to-day operation and management of boreholes occurred. Based on the findings, it is argued that there is a need to critically assess the participation agenda. Thus, is community-wide participation in development interventions necessary? Are rural residents merely concerned about the end goal of having clean water available or have other benefits they hope to attain through these projects?  

Key words: Non-governmental organizations (NGOs), rural, clean water, Akuapem community development programme, participation.