From 26th February to 1st March 2024, in Duayaw Nkwanta, IRC Ghana in partnership with the Tano North Municipal Assembly hosted capacity building workshop for stakeholders involved in providing water sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in the Tano North Municipality.
Published on: 22/03/2024
In a strategic move to strengthen district assembly staffs' capacity to sustain and protect WASH services in Tano North municipality, a two-fold training workshop focused on deepening the understanding and appreciation of sector policies, guidelines, and procedures; and delving into WASH in Schools and Healthcare facilities.
The training workshop was part of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Days Saints' funded District-wide WASH project activities. The district wide WASH project in Ahafo Region focuses on improving the well-being of families in Tano North Municipality and Asutifi North District. In the municipality of Tano North, the project aims to increase access to WASH services in schools and health care facilities. It will also provide capacity building support to strengthen district assembly staffs' capability to sustain and protect WASH services in the municipality.
The first phase of the workshop centered on strengthening the capacity of the Municipal Assembly's heads of departments and unit staff regarding the critical role they play in providing access to WASH services. Through comprehensive training sessions, the importance of adhering to proper policies and procedures in collaboration with service providers and other stakeholders was emphasized. Commenting on the target participants for the training, the Tano North Municipal Assembly Planning Officer said,
"Training workshop involving the management staff on standards and regulations before initiating the construction of WASH facilities is crucial as they intend to influence the project in a great way."
The second segment of the workshop focused on WASH in schools and healthcare facilities, bringing together key stakeholders involved in these services within the Tano North Municipal Assembly. Through detailed discussions, presentations, and real-life case studies, participants gained insights into the policies, frameworks, and guidelines governing WASH practices in educational and healthcare settings.
The workshop provided a platform for exchanging successful strategies and innovative approaches to WASH management, emphasizing the operational aspects such as infrastructure maintenance, hygiene education, and sustainable practices. Recognizing the challenges posed by social factors and resource limitations, the session encouraged collaborative efforts and partnerships among stakeholders to enhance sustainability and resilience of WASH facilities.
On behalf of the Municipal Assembly, the planning officer and the environmental health officer took turns in commending IRC and partners for the collaborative approach, emphasizing the significance of stakeholder engagement and knowledge transfer. They expressed gratitude for the capacity building exercise, which they described as useful and well-focused on the real areas of need.
Participants left the workshop with renewed commitments, equipped with action plans to address specific needs and challenges in their respective areas. The collaborative spirit fostered during the workshop is expected to create a more hygienic, safe, and conducive environment for education and healthcare services, contributing to the well-being and development of the community in the Tano North Municipal Assembly.
