Wuni Zaligu Development Association (WUZDA) is leading in a WASH Network to engage partners look at activities in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene sector in the Northern Region for 2016.
The forum is expected to look back at the strides of partners in the previous year and cast a light on shortfalls for enhancement and the focus for 2016.
WUZDA which is leading this initiative has been keen on raising issues surrounding the WASH sector and providing community members in its operational areas the needed support to approach basic issues of water, sanitation and hygiene at the local level.
There are other areas of focus for WUZDA in its community approach to livelihood empowerment support initiatives.
Since its inception, the organization has contributed to the improvement of socio-economic and health conditions of members of its target groups in the following:
Supported 505 women through Village Savings and Loans Scheme to make them self-reliant.
Revamping and strengthening of WASH structures in 40 communities to better manage and sustain WASH facilities.
Enhancing of the capacity of 60 Environmental Health and Sanitation staff in the Tamale Metropolis and the Sagnarigu District on sanitation technological options to market and promote household latrine construction and use.
Establishment of Latrine Sanitation Credit scheme which has supported the construction of 356 household latrines of various types.
Support to 35 basic schools with water, latrines and hygiene facilities in the Tamale Metropolis and the Sagnarigu District.
The organization has supported the Sagnarigu District Environmental Health and Sanitation Department to conduct health screening for food venders and cooks who sell to school pupils.
This exercise affected 101 caterers from 43 basic schools. Out of the 101 screened caterers, 48 cooks and caterers were identified with typhoid fever and placed under treatment at 2 health facilities (Rabito clinic and St. Lucy Polyclinic, both in Tamale).
In food security approaches, WUZDA has trained 183 farmers on compost development, its management and application.
It has established a 1.2acre land drip for dry season farming; this engaged 28 farmers made up of 16 men and 12 women who are directly participating in the demonstration farm. A video documentary is being developed on that.
Through initiatives to keep the public informed duely and constantly about WASH issues and for reason of advocacy, WUZDA has done two years of consecutive and consistent radio campaign and this is happening on two radio stations (Might FM – Savelugu, Radio Justice – Tamale).
The program with Might FM is dubbed ‘Sanitation Monday’ where a total of 96 hourly discussions have taken place over the last two years. With radio Justice, a total of 48 discussions took place, the program is dubbed “Time with WUZDA” and happens every Wednesday.
The Wuni Zaligu Development Association has set out not to solve WASH issues for communities but empower them enough to initiate processes in accessing them on their own, through community engagement approaches and advocacy.
WASNET Presents Key Focus Areas Of Operations For The Year 2016
The programmes manager for the Wuni Zaligu Development Association (WUZDA) and Coordinator of the Water and Sanitation Network (WASNET), Mr. Abdul Karim Ziblim has admonished members of the network to cast their nets wide in their operations and be limited to doing the same thing whilst societal needs keep varying.
Mr. Abdul Karim explained why the membership of WASNET is necessary for NGOs that run programs on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene.
He said with the changing trends in seeking funding from international donors, it is incumbent for organizations to develop strategies to better approach the needs of the people to enable donors buy into them and provide funding for their operations.
The Water and Sanitation Network was given birth to before the Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation but CONIWAS has over the years been vibrant in the WASH sector than WASNET; this, the coordinator and Northern Zonal coordinator of WASNET and CONIWAS respectively, Mr. Abdul Karim indicated that even though the two do not need to be seen competing, WASNET members have to up their game in making sure their programs in WASH are sustained through idea generating resourcefulness.
He added that governance systems are a very key component of every organization and has to be taken serious in the management structures.
According to him, international fund donors will always demand to focus on proposals from organizations that have well structured governance systems.
“Practical approaches are needed to make donors approve even a well thought through proposal. Some organizations say getting funding is difficult, but it all depends on how the organization approaches the way they write their proposals”, Mr. Abdul Karim told participants at the forum.
Figure 2. Mr. Abdul Karim Ziblim charging participants to adopt a more strategic approach in putting together proposals
He said the activation of any funding from any donor is done by the donor first checking the governance system of the organization.
Mr. Abdul Karim charged employees and employers to see themselves as shareholders in the various organizations they belong to, by devoting fully to ensure the growth of it.
He concluded by saying the general action focus of WASNET for 2016 and beyond is to develop members to be able to stand on their own and not fully depend on donors for their operations.
WUZDA Ghana 