Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app

[K. Ohene Sarfoh]

Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app

By Ghana News -SpyGhana.com

With the aid of the World Bank, a new mobile application has been designed and developed to monitor waste disposal in Ghana.

Officially launched as ‘The Ghana Districts Monitor’, the smartphone-based app also known as “Taarifa” which means “headline” in Swahili, is to help citizens and local governments to keep track of waste disposal across the country.

In a blog post March 26, 2013, Gaurav Relhan, an ICT specialist at the World Bank, said Taarifa is designed to be a sustainable and powerful social accountability tool, citing an example that the “app automatically captures GPS coordinates, works in the absence of any mobile internet signal (the information gets stored in the phone memory and is automatically sent when the phone connects with Wi-Fi or catches a signal), and the platform also integrates with regular SMS.”

The Bank added that the platform is an online tool for information collection, visualization and interactive mapping which allows citizens to document and report issues and service delivery gaps via SMS, online feedback forms, email or Twitter.

It explains that the Taarifa platform was implemented to enable civil society to monitor waste collection services in the city on behalf of the urban poor, and report problems to the concerned authorities.

In the first phase of the pilot project, the World Bank says smartphones have been distributed to four CSOs (already engaged with local governments on issues related to water & sanitation, waste management, youth education, and slum redevelopment).

People were also trained to use the app, record data and fill-out and send their reports in real time, according to the Bank.

The CSOs have been encouraged to monitor the waste disposal on a contract basis with service providers or other agencies and the money earned from these contracts will allow them to buy more phones, train more personnel, and fuel-up their vehicles.

Such contracts have already been signed and citizen reporting is alive and well in the municipalities of the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA), said World Bank’s Relhan.

By Ekow Quandzie/ghanabusinessnews.com

 

[K. Ohene Sarfoh]

US$150m from World Bank to solve Accra's water crisis

 

The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) will benefit from a US$150 million grant from the World Bank toward helping improve Ghana’s water supply and sanitation services, particularly in the national capital.

City authorities are expected to use the grant to solve most of the problems bedeviling water and sanitation services in Accra. The package forms part of the World body’s commitment toward the improvement of urban areas and cities.

Country Director Yusupha Crookes said the World Bank will support the implementation of the national urban development policy and action plan launched by the government.

“In the next few weeks...we plan and we hope to deliver US$150 million programme of support to the Accra Metropolitan area to help to address, in a small, but I hope, a very impactful and significant way, the very pressing challenges in delivering sanitation and water services”.

Ghana is currently rationing water nationwide due to an acute shortfall in production.

It is expected that such grants from the World Bank will go a long way toward mitigating the impact of the shortfall in production.

US$150m from World Bank to solve Accra's water crisis

[The Urban Platform of Ghana]

AMA Blamed For Continues Fire Outbreak In Accra Metropolis

Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service, Prince
Billy Anaglatey, has blamed the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) for
the continues fire outbreak in the metropolis.

According to him, the failure of the assembly to swiftly act on
reports submitted by the service after its audit has given grounds for
individuals and organizations to flout basic infrastructural
requirements.

Mr. Anaglatey told Gold News most markets in the metropolis are not
built to meet fire safety measures, noting that until the AMA
effectively comes to the rescue of these markets, fire outbreaks in
the markets will continue.

He also stressed the need for the assemblies to put in place proper
measures at various market centres for fire prevention.

He further urged the assembly to consider the lives and property of
traders by implementing the recommendations made by the Ghana National
Fire Service to save the country’s markets.

Meanwhile, the AMA Boss, Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, has declined to make
any comments.

[Bernard Appiah Gyebi]

It'll be nice to see the details of this "grant". We always hear of such grants/facilities but it we never see the end.


Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone from MTN Ghana

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[K. Ohene Sarfoh]

Harold will be best placed to get the details.

[Bernard Appiah Gyebi]

Harold, please help.

Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone from MTN Ghana

-----Original Message-----
From: "K. Ohene Sarfoh" <oksa...@googlemail.com>
Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2013 17:43:51
To: <bgy...@hotmail.com>; <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com>
Subject: Re: Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app

Harold will be best placed to get the details.

 To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to the-urban-platfo...@googlegroups.com <mailto:the-urban-platform-GH%2Bunsu...@googlegroups.com> .

[Tony Asare]

Mayor Vanderpuye is on Easter break! We wish him a happy Easter. An Happy
Easter to all of you. Dr. Sarfo, get back to him after Easter.
Tony

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[mailto:the-urban-...@googlegroups.com] On Behalf Of The Urban
Platform of Ghana

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[Harold Esseku]

The project covers the 11 MMAs in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area and focuses on sanitation and water to selected low income communities

Harold

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[Bernard Appiah Gyebi]

Pardon me Harold but I'm yet to be convinced. See, usd150m is a lot of dough and can actually do a lot to change the sanitation situation in Accra but the reason I'm sceptical of the impact of this is that we've heard of such facilities in the past and yet we are where we are. Half of the facilities never get drawn and of the part that's drawn, almost another half is used to do "capacity building".

As I said earlier, it'll be nice to see the actual details of this "grant", particularly the drawdown conditions.
,

[Nii Croffie]

I wonder why the Fire Service will shift the blame to the AMA. Have they noticed that their fire hydrants are buried under piles of rubbish everytime because instead of choosing standing fire hydrants they and the Ghana Water Company install the fire hydrants in inspection chambers instead. Do they talk to the Water Company at all? Or they expect the AMA to do the talking for them. If they had good fire lines and standing hydrants they won't have to drive around looking for water when there is a fire. I know politicians deserve blame for some problems but public servants must also be up and about doing their bit.

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Nii Ayi Croffie
Asst. Civil Engineer
Delin Consult Ltd
Accra-Ghana
Mob: 00233244763821, 00233264763821
E-mail: ncroff...@gmail.com

[Bertha Darteh]

The responsibility of Fire Safety rests as much with the AMA as much as the Fire Service. In a lot of places Fire safety is the responsibility of the local authority and the Fire service works closely with the local authority to ensure that adequate safety measures are put in place and that in the event of fire, the outbreak is properly managed. Unfortunately while the fire service PR makes good points but the reportage makes it look like there is a blame game and in order to score points people will seek to shift the blame to another spot. Rather than see it as fire service is to blame or AMA is to blame, let us see it all as a collective responsibility.

As individuals we are required to ensure fire safety on our own premises. the owners of factories are supposed to ensure same and have a fire safety plan in place. AMA is to ensure that all buildings follow fire safety regulations (I don't know if we have a by-law at AMA level of fire safety regulations). but AMA is to check and ensure that all buildings follow this fire safety code before granting permit. They are also to ensure that there is accessiblity. The fire service should provide more education about fire safety and prevention and act in time to manage outbreaks. the Fire service must also do their best to enforce the fire safety code. sometime back i remember they went round the ministries to do a fire assessment (after the incident at Foreign affairs). i didn't hear much about the report or enforcement. once in a while we hear them closing down facilities after an event. Obviously they seem to be adopting the proverbial "fire-fighting approach" (pun intended) of the system. Fire prevention is also important and when every one plays their role we will get closer to improving our fire safety and management.

 

 

 

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[Harold Esseku]

I concur. Generally, that is what happens. I hope this time around it is different. Effort was put in to get the good background info during project preparation. Some of the efforts undertaken by Peoples Dialogue in Ashaiman with input from Tony and co will hopefully be implemented by the project. There is a social accountability component where Civil Society is supposed to monitor to ensure the right thing is done and the money is applied judiciously.

Harold 

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[The Urban Platform of Ghana]

Harold, there is generally a flawed conceptual understanding of what
"Civil Society" groups and the efforts at transparency and an errant
pressumption about their role and neutrality. I am getting worried
about this notion that some NGOs participation in such projects is
adequate for both public engagement and public information purposes.
Whilst I don't have data to back this, I can infer this from
interactions here and elsewhere.

What activities have been specifically designed for the direct
beneficiaries to undertake? What about other interest groups and
indirect beneficiaries?

Inevitably one finds either this flux is being taken over by the MMDA
(manufacturing evidence of participation, monitoring and feedbacking)
or the project stalling (for variety of reasons including the clouded
institutional framework).

Patrick, Farouk, Bertha, etc and the "Aqua Vittens coup makers" can
help us here, given their work in previous water and sanitation
projects involving "civil society". How are public interest defined in
such projects? Which actors / interest groups best represent the
public good? How is this verified / validated? What critieria is used
in identifying these interests? Who is responsible for informing the
general public and where can individual issues find opportunity for
engaging with the project promoters. The quest for transparency
requires much more work.

On 2 Apr, 08:48, Harold Esseku <hess...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I concur. Generally, that is what happens. I hope this time around it is different. Effort was put in to get the good background info during project preparation. Some of the efforts undertaken by Peoples Dialogue in Ashaiman with input from Tony and co will hopefully be implemented by the project. There is a social accountability component where Civil Society is supposed to monitor to ensure the right thing is done and the money is applied judiciously.
>
> Harold
>
>
>
> >________________________________
> > From: Bernard Appiah Gyebi <bgy...@hotmail.com>

> >To: Harold Esseku  <hess...@yahoo.com>; "the-urban-...@googlegroups.com " <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com>

> >>  To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to the-urban-platfo...@googlegroups.com <mailto:the-urban-platform-GH%2Bunsu...@googlegroups.com> .
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[Harold Esseku]

It will be good to hear what Patrick, Farouk, Bertha and co have to say. At least, I know the efforts were made to contact them and get their input. I am not out to defend the project which has not even commenced. I believe this is a platform that can be used to effectively monitor the project. The subject of this thread is using the "Taarifa" to monitor waste disposal. Gaurav who was involved in the development and training of the Taarifa system in Ghana is also responsible for developing the Social Accountability part of this very same 150m project. Social Accountability is not one of my strengths (hoping to develop that area soon since it looks like it is now the IN THING)

The concerns raised are all very real and the "consultations" in the preparation of the project were aimed at solving these issues. As you may be aware they have been lots of criticism of donor funded projects in the sanitation sector (as well as in other areas). I believe the onus is on us to CLOSELY MONITOR and CONSTRUCTIVELY CRITICISE this project as well as other projects to ensure the projects have the desired impacts.

Harold

 

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[The Urban Platform of Ghana]

Harold, as for "Social Accountability" you are not the only one. As is
commonly said here, "me too I need the training some". I am not sure
if it is my socialisation that has to be accounted for or it is my
accountability that has to be socialised.

On a more serious note, a question not answered is if this is a grant
or loan or mixed credit? It is important to know given the
differentiated attitude of MMDAs to loans and grants. Personally, I
think it should be more loan than grant and the MMDAs' offices and
vehicles attached as collateral. If the largese of office is not
affected by non-performance, the attitude towards the project goals
will be lax. A longer term cure is to establish a proper framework for
debt management (fiscal and technical performance related limits to
borrowing, etc). There is an interesting paper by Lili Liu (2010)
"Strengthening Subnational Debt Financing and Managing Risks" written
for the World Bank discussing how some countries (I dare say
progressive ones) are dealing with this question of performance-
related accountability for infrastructure financing. It can be found
at this link -
http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTDEBTDEPT/Resources/468980-1207588563500/4864698-1207775351512/SSDebt_English.pdf


Secondly, although the coverage of the project is water and
sanitation, what exactly in the water sector will the project be
doing, given the very limited role of the local authorities in that
sector. Unless downstream services by utilities are decentralised (and
formally integrated into the functions of the local authorities), the
compulsion to ensure success by the local authorities will be minimal.
It is not enough to have the utilities "working with" the local
authorities. The nature of the relationship has to be clarified /
revised and have performance-related rewards and punitive measures.

Meanwhile, we are waiting for answers on the social accountability
issue from Patrick, Farouk, and Bertha.

On 2 Apr, 09:30, Harold Esseku <hess...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> It will be good to hear what Patrick, Farouk, Bertha and co have to say. At least, I know the efforts were made to contact them and get their input. I am not out to defend the project which has not even commenced. I believe this is a platform that can be used to effectively monitor the project. The subject of this thread is using the "Taarifa" to monitor waste disposal. Gaurav who was involved in the development and training of the Taarifa system in Ghana is also responsible for developing the Social Accountability part of this very same 150m project. Social Accountability is not one of my strengths (hoping to develop that area soon since it looks like it is now the IN THING)
>
> The concerns raised are all very real and the "consultations" in the preparation of the project were aimed at solving these issues. As you may be aware they have been lots of criticism of donor funded projects in the sanitation sector (as well as in other areas). I believe the onus is on us to CLOSELY MONITOR and CONSTRUCTIVELY CRITICISE this project as well as other projects to ensure the projects have the desired impacts.
>
> Harold
>
>
>
>
> >________________________________

> > From: The Urban Platform of Ghana <oksar...@googlemail.com>

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[Harold Esseku]

Since Ghana is a MIDDLE INCOME COUNTRY we should not be eligible for grants and even concessionary loans. I believe this is possibly the last grant we would receive. LOL!! Attitudes of MMDAs ....

The project is targeting 250,000 people living in Low Income Communities in the GAMA. Between 11 and 20 such communities will be selected in conjunction with the MMAs (process ongoing). 

The sanitation aspect of the project would look at improved household toilets for the target population and also provide wastewater/faecal sludge treatment facilities (this would serve the whole of GAMA and beyond) - possibly two such treatment facilities (I hope the experience of the white elephant at Korle-Gonno is not repeated). 

The water has two main components - 1 improving the distribution mains to get water adequately to the selected communities. This would ensure the sizing will benefit other communities along the way in line with GWCL plans. 2. The selected communities will now have the tertiary network improved within the communities and house connections as well as water kiosks/stand pipes provided to adequately serve those communities.

I feel like I am doing a project defence... lol

 

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[Bertha Darteh]

Anyone interested in improving your knowledge of Social accountability. please check out the link below. guess the course couldn't have come at a more opportune time. Harold please i'm looking for sponsorship to enrol :)

 

http://einstitute.worldbank.org/ei/course/introduction-social-accountability

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[The Urban Platform of Ghana]

Bertha, I want to think that you did not dodge the question on the
framing of Civil Society involvement in such WATSAN projects

On 2 Apr, 13:27, Bertha Darteh <berthadar...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> Anyone interested in improving your knowledge of Social accountability. please check out the link below. guess the course couldn't have come at a more opportune time. Harold please i'm looking for sponsorship to enrol :)

>  http://einstitute.worldbank.org/ei/course/introduction-social-account...

>
> ________________________________
>  From: The Urban Platform of Ghana <oksar...@googlemail.com>
> To: The Urban Platform of Ghana <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com>

> Sent: Tuesday, 2 April 2013, 12:18
> Subject: Re: Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app
>
> Harold, as for "Social Accountability" you are not the only one. As is
> commonly said here, "me too I need the training some". I am not sure
> if it is my socialisation that has to be accounted for or it is my
> accountability that has to be socialised.
>
> On a more serious note, a question not answered is if this is a grant
> or loan or mixed credit? It is important to know given the
> differentiated attitude of MMDAs to loans and grants. Personally, I
> think it should be more loan than grant and the MMDAs' offices and
> vehicles attached as collateral. If the largese of office is not
> affected by non-performance, the attitude towards the project goals
> will be lax. A longer term cure is to establish a proper framework for
> debt management (fiscal and technical performance related limits to
> borrowing, etc). There is an interesting paper by Lili Liu (2010)
> "Strengthening Subnational Debt Financing and Managing Risks" written
> for the World Bank discussing how some countries (I dare say
> progressive ones) are dealing with this question of performance-
> related accountability for infrastructure financing. It can be found

> at this link -http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTDEBTDEPT/Resources/468980-12075...

> ...
>
> read more »

[Patrick Apoya]

All,
      Yes, I do share the sceptism of others in the efficacy of such projects, especially from the just ended (part still ongoing) Vittens Led Urban Water Project. Sometimes the money may sound like a lot, but in the end, you realise it is just covering one component, without the improvement of other areas to make the impact felt. For instance, a good part of the sanitation in Accra is heavily dependant on water to be effective. If after all the good things in laying/changing pipes, improving drains and subsidizing the construction of household latrines, we realize GWCL cannot still meet the water demand of Accra, we still will not feel the impact. The good thing is: If mecahnisms are put in place to ensure judicious use of these funds, then down the line when we have enogh water supply from GWCL, there will no longer be a gap in the distribution infrastrucre within the city. Civil Society role in the judicious use of these funds is still very limited, and at best can only put information in the public domain regarding the status of the project. Civil socisty still requires substial capacity development and mobilisation to make the ideals of accountability materialise.

---

From: The Urban Platform of Ghana <oksa...@googlemail.com>

To: The Urban Platform of Ghana <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com>

Sent: Tuesday, April 2, 2013 9:12 AM

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[Bertha Darteh]

Ohene I was not dodging. Given that Patrick and Farouk have more experience to give us guidance on social accountability, I was waiting for them. I see that Patrick has delivered. Farouk we are still waiting for you.

Good point Patrick. See you have a very practical experience about why we need Integrated Urban Water Management :). Agreed about the point building capacity for Civil Society. very very important to ensure they play their roles adequately. the question we might ask it what will they be monitoring. Defining clear goals (or common vision) for social accountability and indicators for monitoring progress are also important.

It might be useful to consider the role of the elected reps of the people - Assembly men; Unit Committee/Urban/Town/Areas councils when it comes to social accountability. what role can they all play and how can the Citizenry and civil society engage with them?

With regard to monitoring waste disposal through ICT; when the information is captured, where is it sent to and who works on it; or who is responsible to take action on issues raised and how fast will the action be taken? Will the service providers be "mandated" to contract the CSOs? I think this will be a good test case for Social accountability and how it really works in practice.

On the issue of the 150mUSD project; I think looking at the consultations and studies that have been done for the past 2 years and looking at the clear explanations (defence) Harold has given, the biggest challenge to getting things done will be done to the MMDAs. I made a comment when I saw this facility that if this programme cannot help us to improve on the existing situation, then nothing else will help us. Our biggest problem is always implementation. The question is whether the proverbial ATTITUDE of the MMDAs fail us again? What can be done about them (mind us they have all been part of the consultation process from day 1)? This is where we might make use of M&E (already part of project) and space for learning and improving on implementation gaps as we move on. And this is where the capacity of CSOs can also be enhanced to ensure Social Accountability.

This is something the platform can do organise training at local level for CSOs to support monitoring. Then you provide backstopping for a year to help them actually monitor a programme that is in place. Patrick I'm sure if Ohene supports you, this can easily be done n'est-ce pas?

From: Patrick Apoya <patric...@yahoo.com>
To: "the-urban-...@googlegroups.com" <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, 2 April 2013, 17:20
Subject: Re: Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app

All,
      Yes, I do share the sceptism of others in the efficacy of such projects, especially from the just ended (part still ongoing) Vittens Led Urban Water Project. Sometimes the money may sound like a lot, but in the end, you realise it is just covering one component, without the improvement of other areas to make the impact felt. For instance, a good part of the sanitation in Accra is heavily dependant on water to be effective. If after all the good things in laying/changing pipes, improving drains and subsidizing the construction of household latrines, we realize GWCL cannot still meet the water demand of Accra, we still will not feel the impact. The good thing is: If mecahnisms are put in place to ensure judicious use of these funds, then down the line when we have enogh water supply from GWCL, there will no longer be a gap in the distribution infrastrucre within the city. Civil Society role in the judicious use of these funds is still very limited, and at best can only put information in the public domain regarding the status of the project. Civil socisty still requires substial capacity development and mobilisation to make the ideals of accountability materialise.

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to the-urban-platfo...@googlegroups.com.

[Harold Esseku]

Thanks Bertha, Farouk any ammendment or additions?? 

The attitude of the MMDAs....... Implementation cannot sidestep them......

 

---

From: Bertha Darteh <bertha...@yahoo.co.uk>
To: "the-urban-...@googlegroups.com" <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 2, 2013 6:37 PM

[Ebenezer]

When were this fire hydrants installed? What was the population  at that time? The Fire Service and AMA are part of our systems that are crumbling in performance of their key roles. 

Ebenezer O Asiedu

Sent from my iPad

<image001.jpg>

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[K. Ohene Sarfoh]

The Water and Sanitation Index of Development Effectiveness (WIDE) in Sub-Saharan Africa developed by the African Development Bank shows serious performance deficit in Ghana compared to other countries. The base year is 1995 and the terminal year is 2008. An excerpt from the document..

 

"Angola’s performance is commendable. In spite of ranking 30th in resource availability, it achieved the 5th highest outcomes. This suggests that the scarce inputs were used relatively more effectively than in other SSA countries. Angola’s exceptional performance can be explained by the government’s implementation of aggressive capital investment program to expand and rehabilitate WSS infrastructure and institutional reforms after decades of persistent civil conflict."

[Patrick Apoya]

Bertha has raised an imopoint, and actually a fundamental question that was raised at the very founding of this platform regarding what we write and read here can impact on services. We should probably be looking at practicial ways that the platform can make citizens monitoring a reality. For instance, shoulw we be interested in seeing the data collected with the mobile phones and take that the next level of action. This platform has definetely grown in importance and reach.

---

From: Harold Esseku <hes...@yahoo.com>
To: "the-urban-...@googlegroups.com" <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 2, 2013 6:43 PM

[Harold Esseku]

When we cry on this platform, WHO HEARS?

WHAT ACTION IS TAKEN WHEN WE CRY?

I call myself a water and sanitation specialist. Over the last two weeks, refuse has not been collected on my street. Our bins have been sitting (or is squatting) outside our homes over the Easter Break and stinking. The dogs turned someone's bin over two days ago when we woke up in the morning. 

When we cry who hears?

My taps did not flow for 2 weeks last month!

When we cry who hears?

A senior colleague Engineer who has retired met me on the road and asked

"Engineer, Sanitary Engineer, Mr. Water Man (laughter) - What is happening on our road? What is happening in this country? You people have to do something ooo (laughter) me, my time is past!!"

I felt EMASCULATED!!

When we cry on this platform, who hears?

When we cry, what changes occur?

When we cry, does anything change?

What CAN WE DO to bring about CHANGE?

Are we a bunch of comfortable intellectuals sitting in our comfort zone crying without expecting change?

As someone said in a speech recently

"When the roads to our houses are bad, we buy 4WDs

When the taps do not flow, we drill our own boreholes

When DUMSOR kicks in, we install solar panels, inverters and buy huge generators

When the thieves strike, we install razor wire mostly with power flowing through, buy a bull mastiff (more expensive to maintain than security man) and hire a security company to keep us safe. We also install "tramigo" tracking systems on our car so that we will track it "WHEN" it is stolen!!

When the school system is crumbling and strikes are rampant we send our children to IS (international schools) where they still do "O" and "A" Levels"

When we fall sick, we fly out immediately after we talk to our personal doctor in a private hospital, and we go to SA and LA for annual check-up.

Effectively if we fall in any of the categories above -

We don't care about our roads

We don't care about utilities (water and electricity) - Sometimes internet and LPG dribble us (some have 4 commercial cylinders in their homes LOL)

We don't care about security (police...)

We don't care about our education system

We don't care about our health system.

Who hears when we cry

Or do we cry just for the sake crying!!

---

From: Patrick Apoya <patric...@yahoo.com>
To: "the-urban-...@googlegroups.com" <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com>

Sent: Thursday, April 4, 2013 11:17 AM

[Patrick Apoya]

Harold,
          Yes, something changes. You have become a good poet as a result. Read your email again and you will be proud of the poetry in you. So you see, it is sometimes good if no one hears!!!!!

---

From: Harold Esseku <hes...@yahoo.com>
To: "the-urban-...@googlegroups.com" <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com>

Sent: Thursday, April 4, 2013 11:57 AM

[K. Ohene Sarfoh]

Rap Doctor Harold, lol

[K. Ohene Sarfoh]

A woman thoroughly beat her son for stealing.

She then asked him:"Do u know where your stealing will lead u?"

The son said:''Yes................................................................................................................................Government''

[christopher]

Could we easily set up an info site and publicize it? Ghana wikki planning leaks?
Apart from collecting citizen data, it cd publish all those plans/projects that no government agency will release for fear of being held accountable. Yet same unfindable unavailable documents frequently used to justify why something shouldn't be done. Maybe it wd need some small money for someone to set up\administer.
Sent from my Windows Phone

---

From: Patrick Apoya
Sent: ‎04/‎04/‎2013 12:17
To: the-urban-...@googlegroups.com

Subject: Re: Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app

Bertha has raised an imopoint, and actually a fundamental question that was raised at the very founding of this platform regarding what we write and read here can impact on services. We should probably be looking at practicial ways that the platform can make citizens monitoring a reality. For instance, shoulw we be interested in seeing the data collected with the mobile phones and take that the next level of action. This platform has definetely grown in importance and reach.

---

From: Harold Esseku <hes...@yahoo.com>
To: "the-urban-...@googlegroups.com" <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com>

Sent: Tuesday, April 2, 2013 6:43 PM

Subject: Re: Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app

Thanks Bertha, Farouk any ammendment or additions?? 

The attitude of the MMDAs....... Implementation cannot sidestep them......

 

---

From: Bertha Darteh <bertha...@yahoo.co.uk>
To: "the-urban-...@googlegroups.com" <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 2, 2013 6:37 PM

Subject: Re: Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app

Ohene I was not dodging. Given that Patrick and Farouk have more experience to give us guidance on social accountability, I was waiting for them. I see that Patrick has delivered. Farouk we are still waiting for you.

Good point Patrick. See you have a very practical experience about why we need Integrated Urban Water Management :). Agreed about the point building capacity for Civil Society. very very important to ensure they play their roles adequately. the question we might ask it what will they be monitoring. Defining clear goals (or common vision) for social accountability and indicators for monitoring progress are also important.

It might be useful to consider the role of the elected reps of the people - Assembly men; Unit Committee/Urban/Town/Areas councils when it comes to social accountability. what role can they all play and how can the Citizenry and civil society engage with them?

With regard to monitoring waste disposal through ICT; when the information is captured, where is it sent to and who works on it; or who is responsible to take action on issues raised and how fast will the action be taken? Will the service providers be "mandated" to contract the CSOs? I think this will be a good test case for Social accountability and how it really works in practice.

On the issue of the 150mUSD project; I think looking at the consultations and studies that have been done for the past 2 years and looking at the clear explanations (defence) Harold has given, the biggest challenge to getting things done will be done to the MMDAs. I made a comment when I saw this facility that if this programme cannot help us to improve on the existing situation, then nothing else will help us. Our biggest problem is always implementation. The question is whether the proverbial ATTITUDE of the MMDAs fail us again? What can be done about them (mind us they have all been part of the consultation process from day 1)? This is where we might make use of M&E (already part of project) and space for learning and improving on implementation gaps as we move on. And this is where the capacity of CSOs can also be enhanced to ensure Social Accountability.

This is something the platform can do organise training at local level for CSOs to support monitoring. Then you provide backstopping for a year to help them actually monitor a programme that is in place. Patrick I'm sure if Ohene supports you, this can easily be done n'est-ce pas?

From: Patrick Apoya <patric...@yahoo.com>
To: "the-urban-...@googlegroups.com" <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, 2 April 2013, 17:20

Subject: Re: Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app

All,
      Yes, I do share the sceptism of others in the efficacy of such projects, especially from the just ended (part still ongoing) Vittens Led Urban Water Project. Sometimes the money may sound like a lot, but in the end, you realise it is just covering one component, without the improvement of other areas to make the impact felt. For instance, a good part of the sanitation in Accra is heavily dependant on water to be effective. If after all the good things in laying/changing pipes, improving drains and subsidizing the construction of household latrines, we realize GWCL cannot still meet the water demand of Accra, we still will not feel the impact. The good thing is: If mecahnisms are put in place to ensure judicious use of these funds, then down the line when we have enogh water supply from GWCL, there will no longer be a gap in the distribution infrastrucre within the city. Civil Society role in the judicious use of these funds is still very limited, and at best can only put information in the public domain regarding the status of the project. Civil socisty still requires substial capacity development and mobilisation to make the ideals of accountability materialise.

From: The Urban Platform of Ghana <oksa...@googlemail.com>
To: The Urban Platform of Ghana <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com>

Sent: Tuesday, April 2, 2013 9:12 AM

Subject: Re: Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app

> >Sent: Monday, April 1, 2013 8:51 AM

> >Subject: Re: Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app
>

> >Pardon me Harold but I'm yet to be convinced. See, usd150m is a lot of dough and can actually do a lot to change the sanitation situation in Accra but the reason I'm sceptical of the impact of this is that we've heard of such facilities in the past and yet we are where we are. Half of the facilities never get drawn and of the part that's drawn, almost another half is used to do "capacity building".
>
> >As I said earlier, it'll be nice to see the actual details of this "grant", particularly the drawdown conditions.
> >,
> >Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone from MTN Ghana
>
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: Harold Esseku <hess...@yahoo.com>
> >Date: Mon, 1 Apr 2013 06:54:41
> >To: <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com>

> >Subject: Re: Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app
>

> >The project covers the 11 MMAs in the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area and focuses on sanitation and water to selected low income communities
>
> >Harold
>
> >------------------------------
> >On Sun, Mar 31, 2013 10:50 AM PDT Bernard Appiah Gyebi wrote:
>
> >>Harold, please help.
>
> >>Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone from MTN Ghana
>
> >>-----Original Message-----
> >>From: "K. Ohene Sarfoh" <oksar...@googlemail.com>
> >>Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2013 17:43:51
> >>To: <bgy...@hotmail.com>; <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com>

> >>Subject: Re: Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app
>

> >>Harold will be best placed to get the details.
> >>On Mar 31, 2013 5:13 PM, "Bernard Appiah Gyebi" <bgy...@hotmail.com <mailto:bgy...@hotmail.com> > wrote:
> >> It'll be nice to see the details of this "grant". We always hear of such grants/facilities but it we never see the end.
>
> >> Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone from MTN Ghana
>
> >> -----Original Message-----
> >> From: "K. Ohene Sarfoh" <oksar...@googlemail.com <mailto:oksar...@googlemail.com> >
> >> Date: Sun, 31 Mar 2013 16:55:26
> >> To: <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com <mailto:the-urban-...@googlegroups.com> >

> >> Subject: Re: Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app
>

[K. Ohene Sarfoh]

It could also house policy documents, project reviews and other reports so they are accessible to all.

On Apr 4, 2013 1:12 PM, "christopher" <chris...@mudonline.org> wrote:

Could we easily set up an info site and publicize it? Ghana wikki planning leaks?
Apart from collecting citizen data, it cd publish all those plans/projects that no government agency will release for fear of being held accountable. Yet same unfindable unavailable documents frequently used to justify why something shouldn't be done. Maybe it wd need some small money for someone to set up\administer.
Sent from my Windows Phone

---

From: Patrick Apoya
Sent: 04/04/2013 12:17

[Nii Croffie]

Yep Harold,

Very much impressed! I do think there comes a time to cry so lets cry now, wipe our tears later and raise the shout 'Fellows CHHAAARRGE!!! or FAAALL INN!! or whichever will imply action time at the opportune moment.

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: K. Ohene Sarfoh <oksa...@googlemail.com>

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--

Nii Ayi Croffie
Asst. Civil Engineer
Delin Consult Ltd
Accra-Ghana
Mob: 00233244763821, 00233264763821
E-mail: ncroff...@gmail.com

[Patrick Apoya]

Yes, some positive proposals indeed. We do need a plan to make this work. Dr Sarfo may need some help to collate what is readily available and relevant.

---

From: K. Ohene Sarfoh <oksa...@googlemail.com>

To: the-urban-...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Thursday, April 4, 2013 1:23 PM
Subject: RE: Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app

[Bertha Darteh]

Very good suggestions. We could start with a blog and i can help to collate or upload info (once a week). if anyone has experience with hosting a digital library online we could learn from the experience in terms on online information management.

From: Patrick Apoya <patric...@yahoo.com>
To: "the-urban-...@googlegroups.com" <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, 4 April 2013, 14:47
Subject: Re: Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app

Yes, some positive proposals indeed. We do need a plan to make this work. Dr Sarfo may need some help to collate what is readily available and relevant.

From: K. Ohene Sarfoh <oksa...@googlemail.com>
To: the-urban-...@googlegroups.com
Sent: Thursday, April 4, 2013 1:23 PM
Subject: RE: Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app

It could also house policy documents, project reviews and other reports so they are accessible to all.

On Apr 4, 2013 1:12 PM, "christopher" <chris...@mudonline.org> wrote:

Could we easily set up an info site and publicize it? Ghana wikki planning leaks?
Apart from collecting citizen data, it cd publish all those plans/projects that no government agency will release for fear of being held accountable. Yet same unfindable unavailable documents frequently used to justify why something shouldn't be done. Maybe it wd need some small money for someone to set up\administer.
Sent from my Windows Phone

From: Patrick Apoya
Sent: 04/04/2013 12:17
To: the-urban-...@googlegroups.com
Subject: Re: Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app

Bertha has raised an imopoint, and actually a fundamental question that was raised at the very founding of this platform regarding what we write and read here can impact on services. We should probably be looking at practicial ways that the platform can make citizens monitoring a reality. For instance, shoulw we be interested in seeing the data collected with the mobile phones and take that the next level of action. This platform has definetely grown in importance and reach.

From: Harold Esseku <hes...@yahoo.com>
To: "the-urban-...@googlegroups.com" <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Tuesday, April 2, 2013 6:43 PM
Subject: Re: Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app

Thanks Bertha, Farouk any ammendment or additions?? 

The attitude of the MMDAs....... Implementation cannot sidestep them......

 

To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to mailto:the-urban-platform-GH%2Bunsu...@googlegroups.com.

For more options, visit https://groups.google.com/groups/opt_out.
 
 

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[Patrick Apoya]

Yes, practical people in deed. But does this means there is general acceptance about the value addition of this move

---

From: Bertha Darteh <bertha...@yahoo.co.uk>
To: "the-urban-...@googlegroups.com" <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com>

Sent: Thursday, April 4, 2013 2:40 PM

[Victoria Okoye]

Sounds like a great idea, and I'd like to help.

As Chris mentioned, it could be a wiki, or as Bertha mentioned, it could be a blog; either one, but then design it in a website format. Speaking to the lack of accessibility to reports, it could be interesting to try to create a sort of "resource page(s)" where we save all these items (government, policy documents) that Ohene mentioned.  

I have experience using the Wordpress platform for this type of activity -- this includes uploading PDF documents (reports, articles) directly to the site, and then make them publicly available. The good thing is that the website and these reports could be indexed by search engines (which just means it would show up in Google, Yahoo, etc search results). 

In terms of a resource page, I think we could do something like this org has done - where there is a literally a page on the site where you can access all reports: http://www.tbf.org/reports

Ohene, do you have access to the content that was on the Ghana Urban Platform site (seems its disabled now). We could migrate a lot of information from there to this blog/wiki as well.

I think there would be major value in working to make government and policy reports, data more "open" and accessible. 

Best,

Victoria 

---------------------------

Victoria OKOYE

vicki...@gmail.com | +233 (0)546746447 (GH) | victoria.83 (skype)

africanurbanism.wordpress.com | @vickivictoriaO

[Patrick Apoya]

Fantasitc! and I sincerely think this is a major value enhancing step to our discussions.

---

From: Victoria Okoye <vicki...@gmail.com>
To: "the-urban-...@googlegroups.com" <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, April 4, 2013 2:55 PM

[Bertha Darteh]

Word Press sounds cool. I have some exprience with wordpress so if there are a few others who have used wordpress before we could start off with wordpress. secondly for moderation purposes the wordpress might work better. my understanding of wiki is that "a wiki allows anyone to edit, delete or modify content that has been placed on the Web site using a browser including the work of previous authors. In contrast, a blog, typically authored by an individual, does not allow visitors to change the original posted material, only add comments to the original content".

looks like this is shaping up then.

 

 

 

From: Patrick Apoya <patric...@yahoo.com>
To: "the-urban-...@googlegroups.com" <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Thursday, 4 April 2013, 16:00
Subject: Re: Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app

Fantasitc! and I sincerely think this is a major value enhancing step to our discussions.

[Nii Croffie]

I can only add that its time for the 

FELLOOWS CHAAARGE!!!!

Ready when you are!!!

[The Urban Platform of Ghana]

I will ask the developer if he still has access as my last memory of
that site centered around the lapsing of the subscription to the
hosting site. I will get back to you. We have more documents here that
coul be put up on the new page. Since most people appear to prefer
making and recieving postings as mail rather than going to a webiste
the new platform must have the same facility otherwise it go the way
of the old site.

On 4 Apr, 22:04, Bertha Darteh <berthadar...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
> Word Press sounds cool. I have some exprience with wordpress so if there are a few others who have used wordpress before we could start off with wordpress. secondly for moderation purposes the wordpress might work better. my understanding of wiki is that "a wiki allows anyone to edit, delete or modify content that has been placed on the Web site using a browser including the work of previous authors. In contrast, a blog, typically authored by an individual, does not allow visitors to change the original posted material, only add comments to the original content".
> looks like this is shaping up then.
>
>
>
>

> ________________________________
>  From: Patrick Apoya <patrickap...@yahoo.com>

> To: "the-urban-...@googlegroups.com" <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com>
> Sent: Thursday, 4 April 2013, 16:00
> Subject: Re: Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app
>
> Fantasitc! and I sincerely think this is a major value enhancing step to our discussions.
>

> ________________________________
>  From: Victoria Okoye <vickiok...@gmail.com>

> To: "the-urban-...@googlegroups.com" <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com>
> Sent: Thursday, April 4, 2013 2:55 PM
> Subject: Re: Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app
>
> Sounds like a great idea, and I'd like to help.
>
> As Chris mentioned, it could be a wiki, or as Bertha mentioned, it could be a blog; either one, but then design it in a website format. Speaking to the lack of accessibility to reports, it could be interesting to try to create a sort of "resource page(s)" where we save all these items (government, policy documents) that Ohene mentioned.
>
> I have experience using the Wordpress platform for this type of activity -- this includes uploading PDF documents (reports, articles) directly to the site, and then make them publicly available. The good thing is that the website and these reports could be indexed by search engines (which just means it would show up in Google, Yahoo, etc search results).
>
> In terms of a resource page, I think we could do something like this org has done - where there is a literally a page on the site where you can access all reports: http://www.tbf.org/reports
>
> Ohene, do you have access to the content that was on the Ghana Urban Platform site (seems its disabled now). We could migrate a lot of information from there to this blog/wiki as well.
>
> I think there would be major value in working to make government and policy reports, data more "open" and accessible.
>
> Best,
> Victoria
>
> ---------------------------Victoria OKOYE

> vickiok...@gmail.com | +233 (0)546746447 (GH) | victoria.83 (skype)
> africanurbanism.wordpress.com | @vickivictoriaO

>
> On Thu, Apr 4, 2013 at 2:40 PM, Bertha Darteh <berthadar...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>
> Very good suggestions. We could start with a blog and i can help to collate or upload info (once a week). if anyone has experience with hosting a digital library online we could learn from the experience in terms on online information management.
>
>
>
>
>
> > From: Patrick Apoya <patrickap...@yahoo.com>
> >To: "the-urban-...@googlegroups.com" <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com>
> >Sent: Thursday, 4 April 2013, 14:47
>
> >Subject: Re: Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app
>
> >Yes, some positive proposals indeed. We do need a plan to make this work. Dr Sarfo may need some help to collate what is readily available and relevant.
>

> > From: K. Ohene Sarfoh <oksar...@googlemail.com>
> >To: the-urban-...@googlegroups.com
> >Sent: Thursday, April 4, 2013 1:23 PM
> >Subject: RE: Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app
>
> >It could also house policy documents, project reviews and other reports so they are accessible to all.

> >On Apr 4, 2013 1:12 PM, "christopher" <christop...@mudonline.org> wrote:
>
> >Could we easily set up an info site and publicize it? Ghana wikki planning leaks?
> >>Apart from collecting citizen data, it cd publish all those plans/projects that no government agency will release for fear of being held accountable. Yet same unfindable unavailable documents frequently used to justify why something shouldn't be done. Maybe it wd need some small money for someone to set up\administer.
> >>Sent from my Windows Phone
> >> From: Patrick Apoya
> >>Sent: 04/04/2013 12:17
> >>To: the-urban-...@googlegroups.com
> >>Subject: Re: Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app
>
> >>Bertha has raised an imopoint, and actually a fundamental question that was raised at the very founding of this platform regarding what we write and read here can impact on services. We should probably be looking at practicial ways that the platform can make citizens monitoring a reality. For instance, shoulw we be interested in seeing the data collected with the mobile phones and take that the next level of action. This platform has definetely grown in importance and reach.
>

> >> From: Harold Esseku <hess...@yahoo.com>
> >>To: "the-urban-...@googlegroups.com" <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com>
> >>Sent: Tuesday, April 2, 2013 6:43 PM
> >>Subject: Re: Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app
>
> >>Thanks Bertha, Farouk any ammendment or additions??
>
> >>The attitude of the MMDAs....... Implementation cannot sidestep them......
>

> >> From: Bertha Darteh <berthadar...@yahoo.co.uk>
> >>>To: "the-urban-...@googlegroups.com" <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com>
> >>>Sent: Tuesday, April 2, 2013 6:37 PM
> >>>Subject: Re: Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app
>
> >>>Ohene I was not dodging. Given that Patrick and Farouk have more experience to give us guidance on social accountability, I was waiting for them. I see that Patrick has delivered. Farouk we are still waiting for you.
> >>>Good point Patrick. See you have a very practical experience about why we need Integrated Urban Water Management :). Agreed about the point building capacity for Civil Society. very very important to ensure they play their roles adequately. the question we might ask it what will they be monitoring. Defining clear goals (or common vision) for social accountability and indicators for monitoring progress are also important.
> >>>It might be useful to consider the role of the elected reps of the people - Assembly men; Unit Committee/Urban/Town/Areas councils when it comes to social accountability. what role can they all play and how can the Citizenry and civil society engage with them?
> >>>With regard to monitoring waste disposal through ICT; when the information is captured, where is it sent to and who works on it; or who is responsible to take action on issues raised and how fast will the action be taken? Will the service providers be "mandated" to contract the CSOs? I think this will be a good test case for Social accountability and how it really works in practice.
> >>>On the issue of the 150mUSD project; I think looking at the consultations and studies that have been done for the past 2 years and looking at the clear explanations (defence) Harold has given, the biggest challenge to getting things done will be done to the MMDAs. I made a comment when I saw this facility that if this programme cannot help us to improve on the existing situation, then nothing else will help us. Our biggest problem is always implementation. The question is whether the proverbial ATTITUDE of the MMDAs fail us again? What can be done about them (mind us they have all been part of the consultation process from day 1)? This is where we might make use of M&E (already part of project) and space for learning and improving on implementation gaps as we move on. And this is where the capacity of CSOs can also be enhanced to ensure Social Accountability.
> >>>This is something the platform can do organise training at local level for CSOs to support monitoring. Then you provide backstopping for a year to help them actually monitor a programme that is in place. Patrick I'm sure if Ohene supports you, this can easily be done n'est-ce pas?
>

> >>>From: Patrick Apoya <patrickap...@yahoo.com>
> >>>To: "the-urban-...@googlegroups.com" <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com>
> >>>Sent: Tuesday, 2 April 2013, 17:20
> >>>Subject: Re: Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app
>
> >>>All,
> >>>      Yes, I do share the sceptism of others in the efficacy of such projects, especially from the just ended (part still ongoing) Vittens Led Urban Water Project. Sometimes the money may sound like a lot, but in the end, you realise it is just covering one component, without the improvement of other areas to make the impact felt. For instance, a good part of the sanitation in Accra is heavily dependant on water to be effective. If after all the good things in laying/changing pipes, improving drains and subsidizing the construction of household latrines, we realize GWCL cannot still meet the water demand of Accra, we still will not feel the impact. The good thing is: If mecahnisms are put in place to ensure judicious use of these funds, then down the line when we have enogh water supply from GWCL, there will no longer be a gap in the distribution infrastrucre within the
>
>  city. Civil Society role in the judicious use of these funds is still very limited, and at best can only put information in the public domain regarding the status of the project. Civil socisty still requires substial capacity development and mobilisation to make the ideals of accountability materialise.
>
>
>
>
>
> >>>From: The Urban Platform of Ghana <oksar...@googlemail.com>
> >>>To: The Urban Platform of Ghana <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com>
> >>>Sent: Tuesday, April 2, 2013 9:12 AM
> >>>Subject: Re: Ghana monitors its waste disposal using a mobile app
>
> >>>Harold, there is generally a flawed conceptual understanding of what
> >>>"Civil Society" groups and the efforts at transparency and an errant
> >>>pressumption about their role and neutrality. I am
>

> ...
>
> read more »

[Victoria Okoye]

Noted. I think there is a way to link a Google Group to a Google website, so I will look into that. 

Best,

Victoria 

---------------------------

Victoria OKOYE

vicki...@gmail.com | +233 (0)546746447 (GH) | victoria.83 (skype)

africanurbanism.wordpress.com | @vickivictoriaO

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[kobby Parker]

Ato Ulzen-Appiah,
Our in-house I.T. guru.

[The Urban Platform of Ghana]

How could we have forgotten and Ato, how could u keep silent
throughout. I beg, resurrect yourself immediately at once. Easter
Sunday was only a week ago.

May I propose that Ato, Vic & I meet sometime next week to continue
the discussion and bring feedback

On Apr 5, 6:03 pm, kobby Parker <kobbypar...@gmail.com> wrote:
> Ato Ulzen-Appiah,
> Our in-house I.T. guru.

> On Apr 5, 2013 4:54 PM, "Victoria Okoye" <vickiok...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> > Noted. I think there is a way to link a Google Group to a Google website,
> > so I will look into that.
>
> > Best,
> > Victoria
>
> > ---------------------------

> > *Victoria OKOYE*
> > vickiok...@gmail.com |+233 (0)546746447(GH) | victoria.83 (skype)

> >> > vickiok...@gmail.com |+233 (0)546746447(GH) | victoria.83 (skype)

> ...
>
> read more »

[Patrickapoya]

Great leadership. We expect a reply anxiously


Sent from Samsung Mobile

[Victoria Okoye]

Sounds great!

[K. Ohene Sarfoh]

 

 

A choked Odaw river Related Stories Until steps are taken to control the dumping of garbage upstream the Odaw, the channel will remain choked, even if it is dredged regularly. That is because contrary to perceptions that the activities of residents of Sodom and Gommorah, a squatter community on the Old Fadama Road, are the cause for the constant siltation of the river, a stroll along it tells a different story. Right from the Avenor bridge, residents and squatters living alongside the shoulders of the channel dump all manner of solid waste into the drain, described by city authorities as critical to Accra’s flood prevention. That is not to say that squatters at Sodom and Gomorrah or their counterpart scrap dealers, whose activities are carried out along the banks of the river, do not in any way affect the poor condition of the river. Indeed, in the words of an environmental expert, Mr Godfrey Ewool, " the contribution of these squatters to the siltation of the channel is just an insignificant five per cent. As debatable as this may appear, this assertion was, however, given credence when the Head of Storm Drains at the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA), Mr Graham Sarbah, stated, "I remember in 2009 when we were constructing the Onyasia drain, the weather changed a bit and we saw people carrying garbage and bringing it closer to dump into the drain so I asked them why they were doing that and the response was that, the garbage would be carried away by the water". The Onyasia drain runs from Okponglo, meanders through to Alajo to join the Odaw drain and empties into the sea at Chorkor. ABUSE OF THE ODAW The tragic floods which have swept through Accra over the years, appear to be beckoning this year. This is because, the belly of the Odaw drain is choked, and can hardly carry any water into the Korle Lagoon. The Odaw channel is one of the most abused in the country. Some squatters and even residents living along the tributaries and banks of the river prefer to dump solid waste into it, one practice which has rendered the investment made by the World Bank and the French government in 1999 wasteful. The Odaw is, however, a major channel which drains Accra into the Atlantic Ocean, meaning that any form of hindrances to its flow will certainly impact negatively, whenever it rains heavily. It flows from Abokobi and Adjankote hills through Ashongman, Atomic Energy area, West Legon, Achimota, Alajo, Avenor, Agbogbloshie and finally into the Atlantic Ocean through the Korle Lagoon. Perhaps, it is the breeze that draws teeming young men to the banks of the river to attend to the call of nature or smoke weed. Interestingly, however, the breeze cannot be said to be fresher as overpowering stench accompanied by heat constantly emanates from the Kwame Nkrumah Circle portion of the river. Traders at the Pedestrian Shopping Mall, especially those whose structures are located just by the channel, are having a difficult time "as the nauseating stench from the channel is sometimes unbearable". "My sister, I believe you can also smell some. This is the kind of air we have been breathing every day and it is part of the reason why people are not willing to come and sell on this side of the market," Madam Yaa Gyamfua told the Daily Graphic. "People squat along this river to attend to the call of nature every day and at any time. Previously, they did that in the evening or dawn, but today, there is no shame and it is done even during the hot afternoon," a concerned trader stated. "We are not happy with this situation but we dare not confront them as some of them are violent," another worried trader confirmed. FAILED MISSION The reconstruction of the 7.2-kilometre Odaw drain was part of the city's flood alleviation interventions but obviously, it has not achieve the set target of preventing floods from sweeping across beneficiary communities. “To think that a lot of money was used to construct this drain is heart breaking,” a resident of Abossey Okai, Mr Emmanuel Abbey, said. Like Mr Abbey, there are growing concerns about the condition of the channel now, and its capacity to perform the basic function for which the World Bank, through its International Development Assistance (IDA) and the Agence Francaise de Development, helped to construct. In 1999, construction work began on the 3.5-kilometre channel from the Abossey Okai bridge to the Avenor bridge. Messrs CWE was contracted to undertake the US$10 million World Bank IDA-funded project aimed at mitigating the perennial flooding of the city. In that same year, AFD also gave a concessional loan of 11 million Euros to finance the reconstruction of the Alajo Bridge and other flood mitigating works, including the Kpehe, Adabraka, Circle and West Ridge drains. It was envisaged that the completion of these drains would put an end to the perennial flooding and its attendant loss of properties and lives, but this has not been so, as many years on, the flooding situation still persists any time there is a heavy downpour in Accra. COUNTING THE COST Indeed, floods have wreaked enormous destruction to lives and properties. "43,000 Displaced By Accra Floods. 14 deaths recorded. The Daily Graphic reported on November 2, 2011. “Heavy floods have swept through Ghana’s capital, killing nine people, officials say”, the BBC reported on October 27, 2011. “A sea of rainwater has brought the capital of the nation to excruciating standstill on Wednesday morning” A Joy FM report said (August 26, 2011). These are but a few of the headlines which we read whenever Accra experiences a heavy rainstorm, and it does not appear that the country will be reading something different this year, unless pragmatic steps are taken to dredge the silted Odaw in about two months. SOME INTERVENTIONS MADE SO FAR In 2009, the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing initiated a one-year maintenance project for the Odaw and Onyasia drains. The 12-month project was undertaken by PENTREXX Ghana Limited, a local company, to reduce the ingress of silt from the lined part of the Odaw drainage systems into the Korle Lagoon. That project was, however, abandoned due to some difficulties experienced by the contractor. Subsequently, Zoomlion Ghana Limited was contracted by the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) to dredged the channel last year, but that was also suspended following the initiation of the Conti Project. The truth, however, remains that it is not prudent for huge sums of money to be expended on such exercises, when the causes for the siltation had not been addressed. ANY HOPE AT ALL? Some initiatives around the Odaw gives a glimmer of hope that if well planned, the Odaw can be protected from those activities which expose it to abuse. Ornamental plants adorn a section of the banks of the river on the Letap Jewellers and Pharmaceutical stretch. That did not happen by chance. Indeed, it has taken the leadership of the company, bent on greening a heavily polluted environment, seven years to see their labour yielding dividends. According to the Managing Director of the company, Mr Haren R. Patel, it was extremely disheartening for him to see all that pollution and degradation around his company and so decided about seven years ago to embark on the greening project, which had so far paid off. He told the Daily Graphic in a telephone interview that he wished all companies around the catchment would undertake a similar project to protect the Odaw from the needless pollution. It is such an irony to view the beautiful Letap stretch of the Odaw whilst just across it, one sees the activities of scrap dealers messing up the place. Whereas it is easy to appreciate nature because of the well-kept plants and flowers in and around the Letap company, one is filled with disgust and disappointment just watching thick black smoke emanating from lorry tyres and computers being burnt for a penny.

Source: Naa Lamiley Bentil/Daily Graphic/Ghana

[Nii Croffie]

Doc 

your submission breaks my heart and moves me to tears this morning. I wonder whether it is worthwhile making huge infrastructure developments only for masses of illiterates to misuse it. Mr Graham's story about people claiming the river carries the solid waste away shows that we need to get education to our people more. Thanks

[Bertha Darteh]

A reminder of our discussion last month

From: The Urban Platform of Ghana <oksa...@googlemail.com>
To: The Urban Platform of Ghana <the-urban-...@googlegroups.com>
Sent: Sunday, 31 March 2013, 18:06
Subject: AMA Blamed For Continues Fire Outbreak In Accra Metropolis

AMA Blamed For Continues Fire Outbreak In Accra Metropolis

Public Relations Officer of the Ghana National Fire Service, Prince
Billy Anaglatey, has blamed the Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) for
the continues fire outbreak in the metropolis.

According to him, the failure of the assembly to swiftly act on
reports submitted by the service after its audit has given grounds for
individuals and organizations to flout basic infrastructural
requirements.

Mr. Anaglatey told Gold News most markets in the metropolis are not
built to meet fire safety measures, noting that until the AMA
effectively comes to the rescue of these markets, fire outbreaks in
the markets will continue.

He also stressed the need for the assemblies to put in place proper
measures at various market centres for fire prevention.

He further urged the assembly to consider the lives and property of
traders by implementing the recommendations made by the Ghana National
Fire Service to save the country’s markets.

Meanwhile, the AMA Boss, Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, has declined to make
any comments.

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