PD AND GHPF ACTIVITIES IN GHANA

 

September 2003 – 1^st Savings group started in old Fadama, Accra, Greater Accra

 

March 2004 -Two  groups formed in  Avenor and Agbogbloshie both in Accra

 

April 2004 - Another group formed in Ashaiman-, Greater Accra region

 

May 2004    - Groups formed in Volta Region and Eastern Regions

 

June 2004- Savings Groups extends to Kumasi, Ashanti Region

 

February 2005- Savings groups extends to Takoradi, Western Region.

 

The alliance (PD and GHPF) is now working in 6 regions out of the 10 regions in Ghana. PD and GHPF operate in 4 out of 5 of Ghana’s largest urban localities namely Accra, Kumasi, Ashiaman and Takoradi with total savings of over hundred million cedis (¢120,000,000.00) approximately (US$ 14,000).

 

 

 

COMMUNITY PROFILES

 

 Savings Groups In Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (OLD FADAMA, ASHAIMAN, AVENOR, and AGBOGBLOSHIE)

 

OLD FADAMA

 

Following initial exchanges with Slum Dwellers International (SDI) in 2002, savings groups have now begun to develop in Old Fadama. The savings groups started in November 2003.

Old Fadama, is the largest informal settlement in Accra and perhaps the whole of Ghana. Old Fadama is home to about 30,000 residents living in one of the most precarious conditions in Ghana. The residents are under the threat of forced evictions without alternate accommodations. The Government of Ghana is executing a project in the area called the Korle Lagoon Ecological Restoration Project (KLERP). The KLERP has necessitated the removal of the residents from the area. The KLERP is significant for two reasons: 1) the control and flow of storm water in the whole of Accra and 2) the improvement of Accra’s drainage system. Although the KLERP is considered important, an adequate provision for an integrated or community managed relocation or upgrading strategy is lacking. These considerations need to be explored. Solutions to the situation in Old Fadama can indeed be found through a partnership between – SDI , People’s Dialogue, the AMA , Residents,  and Government of Ghana.

Today, there are about twenty (20) savings groups operating in Old Fadama with a total membership of close to 3,000 families. Total savings is about thirty million cedis (¢30,000,000) approximately  (US 3,200 Dollars).

Peoples Dialogue and the federation leaders have started exploring the possibilities of opening discussions and negotiations with the Ashiedu Keteke Sub Metropolitan District of the Accra Metropolitan Assembly.

In December of 2004, members of the Old Fadama Federation conducted a settlement profile.  Part of what has plagued Old Fadama and informal settlements around the world is a lack of accurate and available information about such settlements.  In order to combat this residents conducted a local census to educate themselves and the government about the community.

The emerging federation leaders are clear on their minds that, they need to cooperate with the AMA and Government. PD has focused on building strong peoples processes and negotiation skills of the urban poor to begin talking towards a negotiated solution. The residents through the federation activities have developed the necessary skills and mindset to Dialogue and negotiate with the AMA and Government.  SDI, People’s Dialogue and the Residents are committed to supporting the City and Government around relocation, resettlement, in-site upgrading, voluntary movement and other alternatives to evictions.

 

 

ASHAIMAN

 

Following initial exchanges with Slum Dwellers International (SDI) and People’s Dialogue Ghana in 2003, the first savings group in Ashaiman emerged in April of 2004.  Initial interest in Ashaiman arose because of its size, and like all urban localities in Ghana, its struggles with poverty, environmental, and sanitation issues.  Since the first Ghana Homeless People’s Federation savings group started one year ago in Tulaku, the federation has rapidly expanded on its own accord and more savings groups have begun.  Over the past year Ashaiman has become one of the strongest Federation communities and today there are eight savings groups with a total membership of 1,200 families and a total savings of more than ¢60,000,000 in Ashaiman alone. 

 

As the savings schemes have matured, the Federation has become more united as well as grounded in the Ashaiman community.  Emerging leadership and growing organization have allowed the Ashaiman Federation to take part in impressive learning experiences and embark on a number of community-led projects.

 

With help from People’s Dialogue, federation members from settlements in Ashaiman have been in constant communication with Federation members from other communities throughout Ghana.  Also, recently members of the Federation from Ashaiman went on international exchanges to Kenya and South Africa where they talked to other delegates from deprived communities across the globe about community improvement, partnership building and interaction with governments, and accountability.          

 

On their own initiative, in August of 2004, the Federation started running a bakery.  People’s Dialogue helped secure a loan for the purchase of an industrial oven and today the community-led income generating enterprise continues to be operated by Federation members from the Ashaiman community.

 

Federation members in Ashaiman are currently working on starting a community farm as another income generating activity as well as continuing discussions with the Tema Municipal Assembly (TMA) about the future Sanitation facility.  

 

 

 

AGBOGBLOSHIE

 

Like most old settlements of Accra, Agbogbloshie is a formal settlement but has degenerated into a slum. One of the largest foodstuff markets in Accra is located in the area. Narrow and twisted roads, poor sanitation, wooden structures, and lack of environmental and health requirements characterize the area. The Agbogbloshie savings group was started in April 2004 and has membership of 150 families with total savings of about ¢9,000,000 (US $1000) who are saving to address the problems identified above.

 

At the edge of the Agbogbloshie community reside the railway slum dwellers. They are also saving to find solution to their insecure tenancy and the looming forced evictions.

 

 

AVENOR

 

Avenor is yet another formal settlement that has degenerated into a slum. Poor sanitation, insufficient basic facilities and flooding are the major challenges that PD is supporting the residents to address. The Avenor savings group was started in April 2004. It has total membership of about 210 families and total Savings of about ten million cedis (US 1,100 dollars).

 

 

Savings Groups in Ashanti Region (KUMASI)

 

KUMASI

            After hearing about the work of the Ghana Homeless People’s Federation and People’s Dialogue in other communities throughout the country, members of the Aboabo community in Kumasi approached PDG.  After People’s Dialogue and delegates from the Federation visited Kumasi in the summer of 2004, savings groups began in August.  Today there are eight savings groups in the Kumasi metropolis with a total membership of about 600 families and a total savings of already ¢40,000,000. 

            Federation members of the informal settlements in Kumasi are saving on a daily basis in order to overcome a plethora of issues facing the community including constant flooding, inadequate sanitation and drainage, as well as the looming threat of evictions in areas close to railway lines.  The federation continues to grow and some members have already participated on international exchanges.

 

Savings Groups in Eastern Region (AFRAM PLAINS)

AFRAM PLAINS   

           

           

 

Newly Established Savings Groups in 2005 (TAKORADI)

 

TAKORADI

Initially, residents of the Akubrom community in New Takoradi visited Accra in January, 2005 and actually requested assistance in establishing saving schemes in the Takoradi area.  People’s Dialogue and representatives from the Ghana Homeless People’s Federation responded by visiting the community in February, and soon after the first savings groups in the area began.  Only three months later, there are already five savings groups in the Takoradi metropolis with a total membership of 500 families and a total savings of around ¢12,000,000.  Although the Federation is still very young in the area, the level of participation, and initiative shown by the residents is unprecedented.

            Even at this infant stage, People’s Dialogue and the Takoradi Federation have already established a successful working relationship with local government officials, although at this point the community is still focused on furthering its savings schemes.