On Thursday, November 21, 2024, The Ghana Center for Democratic Development (CDD-Ghana), in partnership with the US Embassy in Ghana and the Saboba District Assembly, officially handed over two boreholes to the communities of Zagbeli and Ugbenbordo in the Saboba District of the Northern Region of Ghana.
This initiative, supported by the US Ambassador’s Resilience Fund (ARF), is part of ongoing efforts to address conflict triggers in northern Ghana by enhancing access to essential resources. By providing access to clean water, these boreholes will help alleviate a fundamental community need and largely reduce resource-related tensions.
The handing over ceremonies included comprehensive Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) education sessions that promoted hygiene and cleanliness practices. Additionally, the communities were guided to establish maintenance programs to ensure the long-term sustainability of the boreholes.
The District Chief Executive, Hon. George Bingrini commended the CDD-Ghana and the US Embassy for providing boreholes for these communities. He took the opportunity to assure both CDD-Ghana and US Embassy of the Saboba District Assembly’s commitment in ensuring that the boreholes are managed efficiently to last for use. The Saboba District Assembly will further train a five (5) member Facility Management Committee to ensure good maintenance practices for the boreholes.
The Ambassador’s Resilience Fund (ARF) program awards grants to registered non-governmental, non-profit, community-based organizations to implement programs focused on addressing the underlying grievances and vulnerable conditions of communities at risk of violence and conflict. It provides a mechanism to build community resilience against instability and insecurity, particularly in northern Ghana. The fund aims to empower local actors to tackle cross-border security challenges by fostering social cohesion, enhancing community engagement, and mitigating education, economic, and environmental vulnerabilities in the region.