ROLE OF STAKEHOLDER COLLABORATION IN THE SUSTAINABILITY OF COMMUNITY- LED TOTAL SANITATION IN SELECTED DISTRICTS OF THE NORTHERN REGION OF GHANA

Abstract

Development collaboration promises to be more responsive towards our complex developmental problems and the interdependencies in the ecological system than traditional forms of organization. Collaborative relationships in this thematic area, involve independent organizations coming together to act jointly or participate in the developmental programmes by leveraging their resources and skills to achieving goals and aspirations for society. This research was conducted to assess the role of stakeholder collaboration in the sustainability of Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) in the Northern Region of Ghana. The study employed both qualitative and quantitative research approaches to gather data, based on which conclusions and recommendations have been made. The study results indicate that stakeholders’ collaboration in CLTS encouraged participation, commitment, and cooperation in project activities. Stakeholder collaboration also helped in building trust among project participants as well as in improving leadership, social obligation, and communication efficiency among the stakeholders. However, financing of CLTS was found to be a problem among beneficiaries who thought the short-term pre-financing did not afford them enough repayment time, leading to some defaults in payment. The study recommends that implementers of CLTS expand the material support given to community members on credit to cover a larger majority of them, and defaulters of this initiative should be sanctioned to deter others from doing the same. Finally, the survey highlighted the strong community demand for information on Open Defecation Free (ODF) sustainability and, therefore, recommends further study in this area. Despite frequent suggestions that follow-up and long-term support after CLTS triggering are critical to sustainability, little finance or capacity is allocated to these areas by projects or programs. The survey urges that greater priority be given to post-triggering activities in plans, programs, practice and that endeavours formed to document best practices for the long-term institutional support and monitoring of ODF (and non-ODF) communities.