COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT UNIT
INTRODUCTION
Community Development is a Unit under the Department of Social Welfare and Community Development charged with the responsibility of facilitating the enhancement of the living standards of communities in Ghana.
8.0 PROGRAMMES UNDERTAKEN FOR THE QUARTER
The Unit during the quarter under review carried out a number of activities under its respective operational programmes amidst financial constraints. Most activities centered mass meetings.
8.1 MASS MEETING
8.1.1 VISITATION AND ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF NEW JUABEN CO-OPERATIVE COCOA FARMERS AND MARKETING UNION LIMITED
As part of community development mandate to promote community animation/public education, sensitization and awareness creation through communication for development (C4D) techniques. These include campaigns; mass meetings and study groups meetings etc. The department was invited by new Juaben co-operative cocoa farmers and marketing union limited during their annual general meeting to discuss their income and expenditure (financial statement) and project (community development) that was carried out by them and the way forward. In attendance were officers from the department of social welfare and community development, department of co-operative, solidariad,cocobod etc.
Participant for the training included Chiefs, Queen mothers, Animators, SHED .
| NUMBER | NAME OF GROUP | TYPE OF MEETINNG | DATE | SOURCE OF FUNDING | SEX | |
| M | F | |||||
| 1 | NEW JUABEN CO-OPERATIVE COCOA FARMRES AND MARKETING UNION | ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING | 23RD NOVEMBER, 2023 | NEW JUABEN CO-OPERATIVE COCOA FARMRES AND MARKETING UNION | 33 | 15 |
MAIN ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED
- Reading of annual audited financial statement of the association to members.
- The role of the department of social welfare and community.
- Project initiated by the group.
At the programme the audited financial statement was read by a staff from the department of co-operative to members which every item was explained to them and how monies (income) were generated and how it was used(expenditure). After the presentation of the audited financial statement members were given the opportunity to ask question and also accept it so that it become the true documents of the association.
Officers from the department of social welfare and community development educated members the functions and responsibilities of the department. The department has been addressing problems such as parental neglect, child maltreatment, child trafficking, mass education, extension services etc.
Finally the officers touched on community initiative projects that was carried out by the group which they were commended and advised them to continue to help their various communities through communal labour.
8.1.2 COPEC TRAINING FOR COCOA FARMERS ON CONFLICT MANAGEMENT AND RESOLUTION.
As part of the Community Development unit mission to impact knowledge and the community folks abreast with issues in their various communities, the unit in collaboration with Solidaridad trained representatives of the cocoa farmers’ groups on conflict management. Some topics treated are
- Definition for conflict and Peace
- Causes, positives and negative effects of conflict
- How to prevent conflict at work place and community
- Differences between conflict management and conflict resolution
- Importance of conflict resolution
- Skills in resolving conflict
Participant for the training included Chiefs, Queen mothers, Animators, SHED representatives, Assembly members and the Municipal Planning Officer.
| NUMBER | NAME OF GROUP | TYPE OF TRAINING | DATE | SOURCE OF FUNDING | SEX | |
| M | F | |||||
| 1 | COCOLIFE PROJECT | CONFLICT MANAGEMENT | 7TH SEPTEMBER, 2023 | Municipal Assembly | 30 | 14 |
MAIN ACTIVITIES CONDUCTED
During the training, the planning officer lead in the presentation and explained the concept of conflict management and immediate interventions when issues of conflict arises in their various communities. After which participants were put into groups for an activity to discuss the objectives for the training and examine their own understanding of the presentation.
Participants mentioned
- Unclear job roles
- Poor communication
- Unfair treatment to others at work and community
- Bullying and harassment
- Poor management of resources and leadership etc as some of the causes of conflict.
However, conflict can poses negative effects such as
- famine
- violence
- retard development
- hinder smooth decision making
- destruction of lives and properties
- migrating to a peaceful place for refuge
Participants were more enlightened on ways to handle conflicts in their communities without fueling it to escalate by using the four steps to conflict resolution. Thus;
- Acknowledging the affected parties and inviting them for a meeting so both admit to being part of the problem that needs to be addressed.
- At the meeting, the conflicting parties will have to accept that they want to have the meeting to resolve the issue
- After accepting for the conflict to be resolved, the parties are allowed to appreciate each other’s differences and the need to respect their views or opinion as well.
When all is done, the conflicting parties must apologies to each other for peace to prevail.
8.1.3 HOME VISIT
In the line with of our interactions, 10 home visits was carried out with a total number of sixty (60) households at Mpaem. A total number of two hundred and eight six (286) individual members of the community were reached out to. As per count, one hundred and sixty six (166) were females and one hundred and twenty (120) were males.
| Community | Male | Female | Total | ||||
| Mpaem | 120 | 166 | 286 |
Main activities conducted
- Drugs Abuse
- Sexually Transmitted infections including HIV
They were made to understand hard substance, alcoholism and mannerisms pertaining to drugs addictions and addictiveness. Ways to see overcome, avoid and overpower substance abuse. And again, discussions on personal development was a key in the course of our interactions. How to set goes and the various sustainable steps in achieving them. Platforms and enabling social interventions available were made known to them as well. Time management also came up. Without proper time management, goes that has been set can’t be materialized. Procrastination becomes the order of the day disrupting and delaying dreams and aspirations. Self sustenance and economic independence can be driven through proper entrepreneurial skills and development.
HEAD OF DEPARTMENT FOR SOCIAL WELFARE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT SPEAKING TO MEMBER.
CROSS SECTION OF MEMBERS
OFFICER TALKING TO MEMBERS AT THE TRAINING
CROSS SECTION OF MEMBERS
9.0 CHALLENGES/ CONSTRAINTS
- Inadequate Logistics for personnel to perform duties.
- Most clients/patients are unable to honor the promises after the endorsement of the undertaking forms.
10.0 RECOMMENDATION:
In spite of the above-mentioned challenges, the unit made some achievements as indicated under the core programs. If funds are allocated to solve the problems of the needy, support the vulnerable, can improve upon their performances. The following items listed below should also consider;
- Emergency fund must be allocated to the Department to handle emergency cases.
- Workshops should be organized for staff to update their skills and competencies.
- Adequate office desk for officers should be provided.
11.0 CONCLUSION
During the quarter, some of the activities and programmes earmarked to be implemented were not executed due to the continuous bottlenecks posed by lack of funds. With enthused and adequate staffing of the Unit, making funds available will enhance the execution of most of its programmes and activities.