Book

In the arid landscapes of Ghana's Upper West Region, where poverty, food insecurity, and limited access to clean water have long constrained human development, a quiet but profound transformation is unfolding. Community Participation and Sustainable Development in Ghana: Evidence from SNV's Programmes in Nandom Municipality, Upper West Region by Christopher Noyuoro, Sani Abacha, and Simon Tengan offers a critical examination of how community engagement and multi-stakeholder collaboration are driving sustainable development in one of Ghana's most resource-constrained municipalities. The authors argue that genuine development cannot be imposed from above, it must be rooted in the active participation of communities, traditional authorities, and local institutions working in partnership with development organizations. The book documents how SNV (Netherlands Development Organisation), through its Healthy Future for All (HF4A) project, has transformed water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services in Nandom Municipality, serving as a compelling case study in community-led development. Drawing on evidence from the project's first phase, the authors detail how 21 solar-powered water systems were constructed, serving approximately 40,000 people, while 275 handwashing facilities were provided to schools and healthcare facilities. More significantly, the book examines how SNV's integrated approach—combining infrastructure development with behaviour change campaigns, market development, and enterprise support—has empowered communities to take ownership of their development. The WASH revolving fund, established in partnership with the Nandom Rural Bank, has enabled 180 beneficiaries to access loans at 10 percent interest, with a remarkable 94 percent repayment rate, supporting women, youth, and vulnerable households to invest in sanitation enterprises and income-generating activities. The book also tells the remarkable story of how Nandom became Ghana's first open defecation-free district in June 2019—a testament to the power of evidence-based advocacy, political leadership, and community participation.