Making Rural Drinking Water Supply Programmes Work: A Study of the Water and Sanitation Management Teams in the Eastern Region

Abstract

The study evaluated the Water and Sanitation Management Teams in the Eastern Region of Ghana. A total of 398 respondents were used for the study. Interview guide, focus group discussions guide and questionnaires were used for data collection. SPSS version 20 was used to analyse the data. The results showed that there is an institutional framework for the management of the rural water systems. However, the relationship between the stakeholders is weak. The water and sanitation unit in the Districts could not provide the necessary administrative, financial and technical support for the Water and Sanitation Management Teams (WSMTs). Monitoring of the WSMTs by the DWSTs is weak. The study shows that initial training was done for the WSMTs; however, retraining was not adequate. The study reports on inadequate funds for the District to work effectively with the WSMTs. The study cited low women representation in the WSMTs, and area mechanics and spare parts dealers were reluctant to offer their services to the WSMTs because of unsettled debts. Financial and administrative records were not prepared and kept. The study identified unwillingness to pay for water services due to the absence of financial transparency and the WSMTs had no maintenance plan for the water systems. The study recommended that WSMTs should be given monetary motivation, the CWSA, RWSA and the DWSTs should be should well-resourced to work effectively, interference from chiefs should not be encouraged, WSMTs should be accountable to the community and WSMTs should improve revenue mobilisation to enhance replacement and development of more water systems.