Lessons and recommendations from handpump mechanics training in Ghana
The handpump sustainability capacity building support for Atiwa East District in October 2021 with funding from the Ernst Peyer Foundation of Switzerland engendered some great lessons and recommendations to guide the rural water supply sector of Ghana and sub-Saharan Africa. These are presented below.
Demand responsive approach to training a few interested and willing Handpump Mechanics engenders more predictable net-positive outcomes compared to supply-driven mass training of Handpump Mechanics.
Identifying/head-hunting a successful, competent, experienced, and practising Handpump Mechanic to deliver the training guarantees effectiveness, efficiency and positive training outcomes as the trainees have the benefit of getting exposed to the practical realities, circumstances, and challenges associated with the work of a Handpump Mechanic as well as the practical strategies/techniques for dealing with them.
Collaborating with the Local Government Authorities (i.e. Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies – MMDAs) optimises synergies which results in smooth project implementation, optimal stakeholder participation, as well as local interest and ownership of interventions, and guarantees sustainable outcomes.
Honourable Assembly members of the Local Government Areas are highly regarded and respected by the communities as champions of development, and are thus able to carry communities along in development decision-making, planning, and actions, and should be leveraged and encouraged to play greater roles in rural water supply sustainability as well as sanitation and hygiene improvements, as long as they are discouraged from politicising community water supply.
Honourable Assembly Members rise to the occasion and assume responsibility for water facilities in communities which do not have active Water and Sanitation (WATSAN) Committees.
Communities which sell water from their handpumps are more able to easily respond financially to requirements for repairs of broken-down handpumps as was the case in Ankaaase. The reverse of this situation was found in Frimponso, Nanapa and New Jejeti where their inability to raise funds and buy the required spare parts for the repairs caused them to miss out on the opportunity of not having to pay for workmanship.
Including handpump repairs in the Annual Action Plans of District Assemblies is an important step for a close collaboration between the District Assemblies (Local Government Authorities) and Handpump Mechanics in promoting handpump sustainability within the districts.
Handpump Mechanics Training Curriculum which is heavy on field practicals produces more beneficial training outcomes in terms of skill acquisition and confidence building for the trainees.
Training Handpump Mechanics without providing tools and equipment support undermines the objective of improved handpump maintenance for water supply sustainability.
The benefits of adequately tooling and equipping trained Handpump Mechanics including mobility support such as motorbikes or vehicles makes the capacity building programme complete with high likelihood of achieving the post-training objectives.
Being considerate and truthful to communities engender cooperation and trust for the Handpump Mechanic.
A two-week training duration is adequate for effective Handpump Mechanics Training, but better, if followed by a remote coaching phase by the training consultant for the trainees over a specified period such as six months.
The scope of Handpump Mechanics Training goes beyond technical/mechanical training to include water quality, human relations/community relations/working with communities, community entry, communication, financial issues, linkages with spare parts dealers/warehouses, linkages with Honourable Assembly Members and the District Assemblies, Sanitation/Sanitary Inspection and Hygiene, Records Keeping, and stakeholder management and networking, as well as the provision of tools and equipment.
The Honourable District Chief Executive, District Coordinating Director, Honourable Assembly members, District Engineers, Social Welfare and Community Development Officers, District Environmental Health Officers (DEHOs) and Environmental Health Assistants, and Watger and Sanitation Committee Chairmen are key stakeholders whose roles are important in promoting and facilitating the work of the Handpump Mechanics within the various local government areas.
