Multi-faceted participatory approaches in rural water and sanitation projects

The Rural Water and Sanitation Project implemented in two districts in the Eastern Region of Ghana between 1991 and 1996 by the UNDP and Ghana governments was people-centred in many ways. These included active participation of women, use of video films and microscopes in community mobilization and health/hygiene education, respect for local customs in borehole siting and the use of local folks in strategic construction of VIP latrines and pump repairs. Others include the impact of a mix in training venues, improved social status for voluntary workers, capacity-building and skills up-grading for local artisans leading to improved incomes among the poor etc. The success of the project hinged on the deployment of participatory strategies tailored to the socio-cultural milieu of the beneficiaries.