The Deputy CEO of NETCOWAS Nana Akua Serwaa Adade discussed the Role of Community Partnerships in Transforming Local Water Management.
NETCOWAS (Network of Community Water Services) is spearheading a partnership with Municipal, Metropolitan, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) to empower local communities in effectively managing their piped water systems. Madam Adade explained the company’s mission, the scope of the partnership, and the intended impact on small-town water services across Ghana.
“Before we transformed into a private water utility service, we were operating as an NGO. So, what we’re doing was providing technical assistance to communities, coaching and training them on their piped water systems. However, the pace of progress was disappointing.”
Nana Akua Serwaa Adade the Deputy CEO of NETCOWAS
The transition to a formal entity was driven by the recognition that informal community-managed water systems lacked the operational efficiency and financial stability to thrive. The new approach focuses on transforming these systems into creditworthy, sustainable operations.
Madam Adade noted that there are around 1,000 piped water systems across Ghana, with approximately 80% of them managed by the communities themselves, often with assistance from MMDAs. She pointed that; “Production or processes have been seen to be informal. So, they have various problems and challenges they are facing.”
Madam Adade emphasized that NETCOWAS aims to improve these systems’ operational efficiency and creditworthiness while expanding water connections to different households.
NETCOWAS Mission Transforming Water Systems
When asked to summarize NETCOWAS mission. He noted that; “Our mission is to transform the piped water services in the communities into efficient and creditworthy entities.” She elaborated that making these systems creditworthy would allow them to access financing or loans to improve their infrastructure and operations. This transformation, according to Adade, would not only improve water access but also the quality of service delivery in local communities. One of the pillars of NETCOWAS strategy is its partnership with MMDAs and local communities.
“We leverage social capital and local resources from the communities. Our operations involve direct interactions with the MMDAs and the communities to work hand in hand with them.”
Nana Akua Serwaa Adade the Deputy CEO of NETCOWAS
The direct interactions with the MMDAs and the communities to collaborate closely with them. The inclusive approach is designed to address the longstanding challenges that communities have faced in managing their water systems. She assreted; “We are encouraging direct participation of the communities and the MMDAs. We are actively involving them to make the processes more efficient.”
Madam Adade acknowledged that traditional management systems in many communities have been informal and often inefficient. She shared a striking example from the Northeast Region where a piped water system was installed, but after five days of operation, the system broke down. This led to women and children walking long distances to access water.
“When faults or breakages occur, the system takes too long to repair. But NETCOWAS is coming in to ensure these problems are addressed swiftly.”
Nana Akua Serwaa Adade the Deputy CEO of NETCOWAS
By professionalizing the systems and improving financial health, NETCOWAS aims to make water systems more resilient and responsive to the needs of the communities.
NETCOWAS Motivation and Long-Term Vision
Madam Adade stressed that many communities are deprived of adequate water services, which has detrimental effects on their health and economic productivity.
“We know water is an essential commodity. We want to expand access to water for communities, especially women and children, who face the brunt of inadequate water services… NETCOWAS is going to transform these piped water systems into creditworthy entities, which means they will be able to receive financing or loans and then pay back.”
Nana Akua Serwaa Adade the Deputy CEO of NETCOWAS
By involving communities and MMDAs in a more structured way, NETCOWAS aims to create a lasting impact on the quality and reach of water services.
“The management approach being used by communities currently is seen as informal, so they are not making the processes efficient. NETCOWAS is going to transform this into a more formalized and professionalized system.”
A Call to Action for Communities
Adade ended with a message to communities struggling with managing their water systems.
“They should reach out to NETCOWAS because we are capable of transforming their piped water systems into more professionalized and formalized systems. We are here to transform community piped water services by providing them with quality access to piped water services.”
Nana Akua Serwaa Adade the Deputy CEO of NETCOWAS
Madam Adade reaffirmed that NETCOWAS is committed to expanding water access and making community-managed water systems more resilient and financially sustainable.
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