Aug 11 2010 @ 15:01

Planning for Success in Chereponi District, Ghana

Over the course of their time in Africa, EWB’s short-term volunteers get an up-close look at the challenges facing rural African families, as they strive to help them improve their lives.

Dhaval Bhavsar, one of these volunteers, has been working in the Chereponi district office in Ghana since May.

Dhaval is working on EWB’s Governance and Rural Infrastructure team, where EWB is working with districts to improve their infrastructure planning capabilities to better meet water, road, education and healthcare needs of rural communities.

One of the challenges Dhaval has observed lately has been the Chereponi district’s search to fill the role of Data Officer. The Data Officer is a new position in the district assembly, and with resources already stretched too thin, there is simply no money available to support it. The position involves assembling, updating and managing the district databases and then feeding that data into the planning of the District Assembly.

The work of the Data Officer is vital to EWB’s strategy in Ghana. It means that District Planners can base their decisions on tangible data, and prioritize clean water, education, transportation, and healthcare to the most vulnerable communities. Without strong data, governments can easily fall into the trap of addressing only the needs of the most vocal communities and those best able to advocate for themselves – leaving behind those communities who struggle to speak up for themselves. This can have devastating consequences for those living in communities most in need.

The District wants someone who is already familiar with the team and the office, and who will commit to staying on in the long-term. With others overworked and unable to commit to the longevity required from the position, it has become clear to both Dhaval and the District Planning Officer that Sisu, a volunteer in the office, might be the best fit for this important job.

“Sisu is a bright person who understands how data can be used for planning purposes. He learns skills very well and quickly,” says Dhaval. “He understands the culture, knows the people, and has developed a great reputation for himself in the community he lives and works in.”

As a volunteer, Sisu has been living on a small stipend while the interest grows on the loans he took out to complete his schooling. The tight financial constraints of the district means that committing to the role of Data Officer would require signing on for another year of his volunteer stipend – and another year of being unable to pay back his loans.

An exceptional Data Officer means better decision making on the part of the district. Having Sisu in the position would have positive implications for the entire district of Chereponi. But – will he take it on?

This situation is clearly not ideal. Sisu must choose between what is likely best for his community and pursuing other options that might lead to a more financially secure future.

When the heads of the district decided upon Sisu, Dhaval was sent to get him. “I tried as hard as I could to make sure Sisu knew that the decision was in his hands. It was perhaps one of the most important decisions he has made in a long time.”

In a perfect world, Sisu could work for the benefit of his community and earn enough money to both live comfortably and pay back his loans. In a perfect world, Chereponi district would not need to choose between salaries for its employees and the completion of its projects. In this world; however, people are dealing with difficult choices like this everyday.

When it came to Sisu’s choice, he decided in favour of Chereponi district and EWB. Dhaval says, “Sisu is the Data Officer EWB is looking for.” He has courageously committed to his district, offering his services in spite of the challenges that accompany another year as a volunteer.

EWB’s Rural Infrastructure team is successful in improving lives thanks to the contributions of African leaders and Canadian volunteers. They come together to create a world where dilemmas like this do not exist – where Sisu and those like him can experience lives full of opportunity.

Learn more about our work in Africa: ewb.ca/africa

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