Ensuring Water Access for Nomadic People
Summary
In northern Ghana, the issue of water scarcity intersects with deeper socio-cultural tensions between settled communities and nomadic groups, particularly the Fula ethnic group. Nomadic herders, migrating from neighboring countries in search of pasture, often face discrimination and exclusion from water resource discussions, exacerbating their vulnerability.
In response to this complex challenge, Future for Africa (F4A) initiated a comprehensive water project aimed at reducing discrimination and improving water access for nomadic communities. This essay examines the intervention's inception, strategies, outcomes, and challenges, shedding light on the critical intersection of water scarcity, marginalized communities, and local development initiatives.
Fula, or an ethnic group that is widely dispersed across the Sahara, Sahel, and West Africa, are a group of nomadic people who frequently migrate into Ghana?s Northern Region from nearby countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, in search of fertile pastures for their livestock. Many of them settle temporarily in communities around the borders of Ghana, particularly in the Upper East region, which they find meets their needs. Growing numbers of nomads decide to stay permanently in these settlements, which usually are already home to indigenous communities. The influx of nomadic people has been known to cause tension and discrimination in these communities, as it is widely believed within local communities that nomadic livestock (particularly cattle) frequently damage crops and vegetation. Moreover, due to ownership claims from local settled communities, nomads tend to be excluded from important discussions on planning and implementation of water-related interventions where they reside, making them a marginalized group that lacks equal and equitable access to water for their families and their livestock.
Intervention
In 2021, Future for Africa (F4A) conducted a survey aimed at identifying communities in northern Ghana that were facing water scarcity. Google Forms were distributed via WhatsApp to engage with community members and leaders, encouraging them to share insights into the situations their communities were facing. A total of 28 responses were received, and F4A team members visited 12 communities in the Upper East Region to conduct on-the-ground assessments. Through this process, the F4A team uncovered the specific water needs within marginalized groups, particularly among nomadic communities, and given that the nomadic population is increasing and the historical tensions between settled and nomadic communities, it was essential to address their water needs.
So, in 2022, Future for Africa (F4A) established a water project to reduce discrimination towards nomadic people at water points in settled communities and support their access to water. The project is intended to be rolled out over five years in the northern part of Ghana in communities where nomadic people are residing. Rather than exclusively drilling boreholes for nomadic communities, which could exacerbate existing tensions, the project aimed to promote peaceful coexistence.
The project uses a two-prong approach to reducing discrimination at water points. First, access to water is increased through the construction of additional water points (i.e., boreholes to be used by both settled and nomadic communities). For instance, boreholes constructed in the Kpariwaa community (Bawku West District) and Karimenga community (West Mamprusi District) serve both nomadic and settled communities equally, fostering an environment where ownership entitlement is absent. Second, boreholes are managed by local authorities, such as the Tindana (chief) as well as the Assemblyman of the community. Their cooperation is vital to facilitate community involvement, as the authorities select a community water committee to address any form of discrimination and ensure equitable access to water resources.
The Water Committees are composed of seven members of the settled and nomadic communities and, to ensure gender equality, four men and three women are selected to form part of the committee. Members will convene regular and ad hoc meetings to address issues promptly and effectively. The work of the committee typically includes: maintenance and repairs of boreholes; keeping records of water usage and expenditures on repairs; engaging with community members to raise awareness of the importance of water conservation and proper usage of the water point; coordinating and collaborating with local authorities; organizing training sessions for committee members and communities on water management and basic maintenance skills to enhance sustainability of boreholes; providing regular reports to relevant stakeholders; and resolving any conflicts or disputes that may arise related to the water point.
The project is funded through the sale of handicraft items made by local women in Bolgatanga as well as through Solidarity Calendars that display pictures of projects. Additional funding earmarked for borehole construction has been provided by Action Solidarité pour le Développement Humain (ASODH), a French non-profit organization.
Challenges
While the project represents a strong locally-led example of supporting access to water, there are four key challenges that have been flagged. First, due low water tables in the region and sparse population density, drilling boreholes, which is a capital-intensive water solution, may not be the best option for increasing access to water. Second, there has been some resistance from community members on the placement of water points, with local leaders often attempting to secure water points closer to their homes. Third, nomadic people tend to speak different dialects to those residing in settled communities and the language barrier can contribute to misunderstandings and requires translators. Finally, and despite not being a new phenomenon, there is limited information/research available on the challenges faced by nomadic communities in securing access to water. This is troubling given that climate change is expected to exacerbate these challenges as more nomadic people continue to migrate towards the borders of Ghana and the population.
Outcomes
Of the 28 communities that requested support for water interventions in the 2021 survey, 12 were visited by the F4A team. Two communities have since received a water intervention, indicating progress in addressing water scarcity issues, including the establishment of a water committee. To date: over 150 nomadic people have directly benefited from the water project; six stakeholder meetings were held to facilitate dialogue and collaboration among community members and leaders and F4A; sensitization sessions on borehole maintenance and repair were convened in the two communities; water committees have met at least three times a year; and there has been an 80% reduction in conflicts between nomadic and settled peoples across the two communities.
References
Ensuring Water Access for Nomadic People
Summary
In northern Ghana, the issue of water scarcity intersects with deeper socio-cultural tensions between settled communities and nomadic groups, particularly the Fula ethnic group. Nomadic herders, migrating from neighboring countries in search of pasture, often face discrimination and exclusion from water resource discussions, exacerbating their vulnerability.
In response to this complex challenge, Future for Africa (F4A) initiated a comprehensive water project aimed at reducing discrimination and improving water access for nomadic communities. This essay examines the intervention's inception, strategies, outcomes, and challenges, shedding light on the critical intersection of water scarcity, marginalized communities, and local development initiatives.
Fula, or an ethnic group that is widely dispersed across the Sahara, Sahel, and West Africa, are a group of nomadic people who frequently migrate into Ghana?s Northern Region from nearby countries, including Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, in search of fertile pastures for their livestock. Many of them settle temporarily in communities around the borders of Ghana, particularly in the Upper East region, which they find meets their needs. Growing numbers of nomads decide to stay permanently in these settlements, which usually are already home to indigenous communities. The influx of nomadic people has been known to cause tension and discrimination in these communities, as it is widely believed within local communities that nomadic livestock (particularly cattle) frequently damage crops and vegetation. Moreover, due to ownership claims from local settled communities, nomads tend to be excluded from important discussions on planning and implementation of water-related interventions where they reside, making them a marginalized group that lacks equal and equitable access to water for their families and their livestock.
Issue
Intervention
In 2021, Future for Africa (F4A) conducted a survey aimed at identifying communities in northern Ghana that were facing water scarcity. Google Forms were distributed via WhatsApp to engage with community members and leaders, encouraging them to share insights into the situations their communities were facing. A total of 28 responses were received, and F4A team members visited 12 communities in the Upper East Region to conduct on-the-ground assessments. Through this process, the F4A team uncovered the specific water needs within marginalized groups, particularly among nomadic communities, and given that the nomadic population is increasing and the historical tensions between settled and nomadic communities, it was essential to address their water needs.
So, in 2022, Future for Africa (F4A) established a water project to reduce discrimination towards nomadic people at water points in settled communities and support their access to water. The project is intended to be rolled out over five years in the northern part of Ghana in communities where nomadic people are residing. Rather than exclusively drilling boreholes for nomadic communities, which could exacerbate existing tensions, the project aimed to promote peaceful coexistence.
The project uses a two-prong approach to reducing discrimination at water points. First, access to water is increased through the construction of additional water points (i.e., boreholes to be used by both settled and nomadic communities). For instance, boreholes constructed in the Kpariwaa community (Bawku West District) and Karimenga community (West Mamprusi District) serve both nomadic and settled communities equally, fostering an environment where ownership entitlement is absent. Second, boreholes are managed by local authorities, such as the Tindana (chief) as well as the Assemblyman of the community. Their cooperation is vital to facilitate community involvement, as the authorities select a community water committee to address any form of discrimination and ensure equitable access to water resources.
The Water Committees are composed of seven members of the settled and nomadic communities and, to ensure gender equality, four men and three women are selected to form part of the committee. Members will convene regular and ad hoc meetings to address issues promptly and effectively. The work of the committee typically includes: maintenance and repairs of boreholes; keeping records of water usage and expenditures on repairs; engaging with community members to raise awareness of the importance of water conservation and proper usage of the water point; coordinating and collaborating with local authorities; organizing training sessions for committee members and communities on water management and basic maintenance skills to enhance sustainability of boreholes; providing regular reports to relevant stakeholders; and resolving any conflicts or disputes that may arise related to the water point.
The project is funded through the sale of handicraft items made by local women in Bolgatanga as well as through Solidarity Calendars that display pictures of projects. Additional funding earmarked for borehole construction has been provided by Action Solidarité pour le Développement Humain (ASODH), a French non-profit organization.
Challenges
While the project represents a strong locally-led example of supporting access to water, there are four key challenges that have been flagged. First, due low water tables in the region and sparse population density, drilling boreholes, which is a capital-intensive water solution, may not be the best option for increasing access to water. Second, there has been some resistance from community members on the placement of water points, with local leaders often attempting to secure water points closer to their homes. Third, nomadic people tend to speak different dialects to those residing in settled communities and the language barrier can contribute to misunderstandings and requires translators. Finally, and despite not being a new phenomenon, there is limited information/research available on the challenges faced by nomadic communities in securing access to water. This is troubling given that climate change is expected to exacerbate these challenges as more nomadic people continue to migrate towards the borders of Ghana and the population.
Outcomes
Of the 28 communities that requested support for water interventions in the 2021 survey, 12 were visited by the F4A team. Two communities have since received a water intervention, indicating progress in addressing water scarcity issues, including the establishment of a water committee. To date: over 150 nomadic people have directly benefited from the water project; six stakeholder meetings were held to facilitate dialogue and collaboration among community members and leaders and F4A; sensitization sessions on borehole maintenance and repair were convened in the two communities; water committees have met at least three times a year; and there has been an 80% reduction in conflicts between nomadic and settled peoples across the two communities.
Issues |
|---|
Water Scarcity and Access |
Solutions |
|---|
Community Engagement & Education |
References
Content provided by an interview between W12+ Programs and Future for Africa (F4A).