Assessing the capacity gaps of decentralized rural water management: qualitative evidence from Ghana

ABSTRACT

This paper examines the capacity gaps in decentralized rural water management in Ghana across five dimensions: institutional, financial, human resource, technical and social. Using household and informant interviews and focus group discussions, qualitative data from the selected rural communities and water management agencies show that while institutional capacity forms the backbone of effective rural water supply and management, financial capacity is required to implement and sustain the other forms of local capacity. To achieve sustainable rural water services, the study recommends a shift in management approaches that ensures a progressive transfer of water management responsibilities to beneficiary rural communities.

KEYWORDS:

• Community-based water management
• rural capacity
• decentralization
• rural Ghana

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by The Research Excellence Development Opportunities (CREDO) fund, University of Lethbridge [grant number 13462-4165-8015].