The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Nandom, Thaddeus Arkum Aasoglenang says Traditional leaders of the area, have played a very strategic and significant role in the development of the District since its creation in 2012.
According to the DCE, the commitment of the Traditional Council in supporting government to develop the District especially in the area Water and Sanitation has been very laudable.
Mr. Aasoglenang said as a result of the commitment of traditional leaders especially the late Paramount Chief of Nandom, Naa Dr. Charles Puo-uure Puobe Chiir VII Nandom District has made giant strides in the area socio-cultural and economic development.
The District was 7th on the Ghana League Table and 1st on the Upper West League table in 2018.
Mr. Aasoglenang revealed that Nandom District has been declared 100% ODF this year by the Upper West Regional Inter Agency Co-ordinating Committee (RICCs) and a National Team of ODF verifiers led by National Director of Community Water and Sanitation Agency.
The DCE said, of 88 main communities in Nandom, all of them are now Open Defecation Free communities.
“This is partly due to the diverse roles played by you Chiefs and Queens of our District” he affirmed.
Mr. Aasoglenang said this when he met the Nandom Traditional Council in Nandom.
According to the DCE, the processes leading to the achievement of ODF by all communities was led by the traditional leaders from the various communities in the District.
Since the introduction of the Community Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) Concept in Nandom, by the Netherlands Development Organisation (SNV), the late Nandom Naa, Naa Dr. Puo uure Puobe Chiir VII led the Nandom Traditional Council to embrace the concept and also galvanized support from all chiefs and community heads and other major stakeholders in the District.
Nandom District has been improving tremendously every year since the introduction of the CLTS concept.
Mr. Aasoglenang said the traditional leaders showed leadership with the issues of water and sanitation in the District.
He said the introduction of community byelaws and the formation of Sanitation Ambassadors with some selected chiefs, brought about a stringent control measures on the issues of sanitation in most of the communities in the District.
Mr. Aasoglenang said even though some communities faced a lot of difficulties with the behavior of some residents in the process, the chiefs and queens in concert, remained resolute in ensuring that they did not renege in their performance towards the achievement of ODF.
He reiterated “Last year, Nandom attained 96% ODF. As a result, Nandom emerged 7th on the Ghana League Table.”
“This achievement was possible because all hands were on deck,” Mr. Aasoglenang explained.
He called on the traditional leaders to continue to activate themselves by ensuring that the District does not slip into the old situation anymore.
He said, Nandom has been the pace setter in many facets in the last few years.
Mr. Aasoglenang added that the momentum must be collectively and jealously guarded by all the people of Nandom especially its leaders.
He said SNV has been the main catalyst behind the successes chalked by Nandom in the area Water Sanitation and Hygiene.
SNV contributed technically and financially towards what is being celebrated today.
Mr. Aasoglenang said under the leadership of President Akufo-Addo, water and sanitation situation has improved tremendously in the District. He explained that a number of boreholes have been constructed across the District in the last two years to augment the water situation.
Mr. Aasoglenang added “The Nandom Water System which had collapsed before I assumed office as District Chief Executive has been revived with a new Board and staff through the support of the District Assembly”.
Additionally, the Member of Parliament for Nandom and Minister for the Interior Ambrose Dery, has also funded the drilling of 37 boreholes for institutions and communities in the District.
“I am happy to inform you that we have just signed a contract for the drilling of fifty (50) boreholes District wide, the contractor is mobilizing to commence work immediately” he said.
There are also preparations for the construction of Two Water Systems for Ko-Tokuu and Guo-Tuopare under the World Bank Sustainable Rural Water and Sanitation Programme.
The DCE said under the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP) through the Ministry of Special Development Initiatives (MSDI), eight (8), 10-seater mechanized bio digester toilets are at advanced stages of completion in various communities and institutions in the District.
He said through the MSDI, contract has been awarded for the construction of a permanent school block (Classroom, teachers’ quarters and a library) for the Nandom Girls Model School at Dondometeng.
He called on traditional leaders to continue to support the government to deliver its mandate to the people Nandom.
Story by Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo & Stephen Kobom
