PILOT PROJECTS IMPLEMENTED BY COMMUNITY BASED POVERTY REDUCTION PROJECT-VIP, SIF, EU-MICRO PROJECT, CBRDP, POVERTY PROFILING AND MAPPING

A. European Union Micro Project Programme
During the period the district benefited from the 6th European Union Micro Projects Programme. The programme was implemented for only two phases. During those phases, the district and community were extensively educated on the concept of the European Union Micro Projects Programme which was another poverty intervention programme that sought to assist communities to select and implement projects that are felt needs, projects selected are not awarded on contract but are implemented by the beneficiary communities with technical assistance from the district assembly and consultants.

The first phase started in 2006 and the Assembly had eight (8) projects namely: a ware house for the district assembly, 2No 3-Unit class room block, plus toilet and urinal at Kade and Wenchi, 2No. Vault chamber toilets at Okumaning and Otumi, 1No. Rural clinic at Abenaso and a staff quarters for teachers and nurses at Larbikrom and Akwatia.

The second phase started in 2007 with 4 projects: a culver at Bamenase, 1No. 3-Unit class room block at Kwarmang and 2No. Vault chamber toilets at Nkwankwakrom and Darmang. All projects are completed and are use.

B Another poverty intervention project implemented during the plan period (2006-2009) was the Community Based Rural Development Project (CBRDP). The main objectives of the project was to strengthen the sub-structures of the Assembly by building the capacity of selected area council members on the concept of the community based rural development project.

The area councilors were trained in leadership, problem solving, project selection, resources mobilisation, simple report writing, stores management and project implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

After the training, four of the nine area councilors selected a project each from their plans and the CBRDP assisted the area councils with an amount of GH¢15,000.00 to implement the selected project from the plan. The four area councils-Okumaning, Oseawuo, Takyiman and Nkwantanang have all completed their projects and are in use.

C. School Feeding Programme:
Poverty reduction and hunger as well as increasing enrolment in primary schools are among the limited nation’s millennium development goals. The government started the Ghana School Feeding Programme (GSFP) which is an initiative of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD). The main objective are to reduce hunger and malnutrition among pre-school and primary school children, increase enrolment and boost domestic food production by providing at least a nutritious and decent meal a day for school children.

The programme started in 2006 with four schools in four communities in the district at Anweaso, Kade, Takyiman, and Asuom. The programme has increased enrolment in beneficiary schools tremendously since its implementation in 2006.

D. Child Labour
Child labour is a world problem especially in developing countries including Ghana. The story is not different in the Kwaebibirem District. It is prevalent in rural areas where communities lack the capacity to enforce minimum age requirements for school and employment. The problem is endemic in Okumaning, Abodom, Tweapease, Apinamang, Adankrono, Sakyikrom, Pramkese, Takrowase and Kade.

In February 2006 the Ministry of Manpower Youth and Employment established the National Programme for the Elimination of Worst Form of Child Labour in Cocoa Industry (NPECLC). The Kwaebibirem district was among the 10 cocoa districts in the country selected to pilot the programme. Ever since the programme started, the district has supported and sustained 104 school children and their families.

The district has provided 104 school bags, exercise books and shoes, school uniforms. It has supported 16 youth in apprenticeship in hairdressing and tailoring. Data on all beneficiary children and their families has been built, awareness on laws protecting children (children’s act, 1992 constitution, and juvenile justice act, domestic violence acts, human trafficking) rights of the child has been created in all selected communities.

National Youth Employment Programme
One important poverty reduction programme targeted at the youth implemented during the period was the National Youth Employment Programme which was started in October 2006.The aim of the programme was to help reduced unemployment among the youth especially those who had completed senior high school but could not obtain the need grades to enable them continue in tertially institutions.

There were a number of modules in which people were employed and employment was offered according to each ones qualification and interest. The district offered employment in five of the eight modules namely; community teaching assistant, health extension workers, youth in agriculture, sanitation guards and sanitation cleaners popularly called zoom lion. In all a total number of 481 youth were offered employment under the programme.The details are, Community Teaching Assistance 255, Health Extension Workers 54, Youth in Agriculture 150, Sanitation guards 10 and Sanitary Cleaners 112.

Refer to pdf file attached for tables