2019: The sanitation project
Near the end of 2018 Dan reported a problem on the compound with the sanitation. In 2019 we were working to a solution, but this resulted in a long period of no updates. What happened, how is this possible and what can we learn from this?
Note from the author; this article was written in English so the Ghana operation can read what is written and shared.
The construction was done hastily and compromises were made. This resulted in the pipes to lay too flat and have insufficient fall. The pipes broke and part of the toilets could no longer be used.
In februari 2019 the GIP-foundation decided to take on this project and fund the repair works on the pipes. Quick action was taken. A plan was made, including the cost estimate of the works and a planning was made that the work could be done. The same workman was used who had done the initial plumbing, so he knew the site and he was known to get work done. Based on the plans, funds were shared and transferred to Ghana.
Work about to start
All was going good. Diggers were planned and the funding came in. The contractor came in to start works and asked for a downpayment for supplies. This was a large downpayment, but in good faith and also aware of the cost of supplies, we decided to agree. Work was planned to start on april 20th.
On april 20th there was no sign of the contactor, nor the diggers that were supposed to come. It was hard to contact the contractor, since the work-relation was mainly built on trust and not on the exchange of detailed contact information of people around each other.
This kept going for about two months. There was no response from the contractor who had received most of the funding. No progress. And no idea what would happen next.
This is Ghana
This story reminded me of a line Eric used to use more often. “This is Ghana.” Things do not always follow the plans or the way it is expected. Unexpected things happen, priorities change and not everyone is informed. How much everyone involved would like expectations to be met, not everyone involved is too keen on meeting the expectations of others. This is seen as part of life and culture, and sometimes simply cannot be avoided.
The story of the contractor
Even though the sanitation works not starting is something that can happen, this does not mean we are happy about it. So you can imagine our relief when in july the contractor finally reaches out. Dan was invited to meet.
His story was that he receive an emergency call from his village in the Northern Region (Tamale Area) that his father was sick and in critical condition, and being the only son, he was needed to get him to the hospital.
He left at the dawn the next day and got to his village on Saturday morning, which is in a very remote part of Tamale. He managed to get his dad to the Tamale Regional Hospital the next day. After the father had been examined, admitted, and tabled for operation, he was asked to go and buy a drug in town since the hospital did not have it. He took a relative’s motorbike into town to get the drug and the unfortunate happened. A pick-up truck from no where, run into him, breaking his right leg instantly. According to him, he lost his phone and some money at the scene and therefore was not able to reach me on phone since he did not memorise my number. He was conveyed to the hospital and both he and his father became patients.
He was discharged after a month and he had to stay in Tamale and keep going back to the hospital for review until last week when he was finally discharged and to return after a year or so. for the removal of an iron that have been put in the leg.
Work finally starting
Soon after the explanation was given in the end of july, a friend was called in to also survey the site and assist in the contracted work. Things were looking hopeful. But the situation remained unchanged for a while. First, the friend that was called in went on Hadj. But in september, work finally began. Workman came to replace piping and do the agreed upon work.
Work also finishing
On january 2nd Dan reported that the work had been finished that day. It took a while, and quite some asking and chasing, but the work has been done. All toilets in the main (storey) building are now functional, which is a huge relief to all of us.
Relation between our man in Wa and the board in the Netherlands
The lack of communication, even on no progress, was a bitter pill in the relationship between Dan and the board. However, the board has expressed understanding for the situation, accepting that in Ghana plans don’t always work out. The board has expressed no hard feelings on the process of selection of workman, trusting in the local expertise of Dan. The board also has expressed its trust in Dan being able to resolve the issue, and offers it’s assistance when required.
We believe this story might be a part of the changing situation in Ghana. Child Support Ghana has evolved into an organisation that is now fully operated by locals, where the foundation in the Netherlands has a funding role, and checks if funds are spent according to agreements. This also means that Ghana has more space for own plans and execution. We believe this is a good change, and accept that in this change not all goes to plan.
The board in the Netherlands expresses its trust in the running of the Ghana operation by Dan Seidu.