The Joint World Vision and VisionFund Ghana Field Trip to Fantseakwa AP.
The Boards of World Vision Ghana and VisionFund Ghana embarked on a three-day field visit to the Fanteakwa North and South District to observe ongoing impact activities undertaken by World Vision Ghana and VisionFund Ghana in the area.
The Fanteakwa District, situated in the Eastern Region of Ghana, has been a focal point for development initiatives. Initially established in 1988, the district underwent further division in 2018, resulting in the creation of Fanteakwa North and Fanteakwa South Districts. Since 2008, World Vision has been actively engaged in the region, collaborating with local stakeholders such as the Ghana Education Service (GES) to implement projects aimed at enhancing education, health, and community engagement.
Similarly, VisionFund Ghana has been operating in the Fanteakwa Area Programme (AP) since 2015, providing financial services and support to various sectors within the community through VisionFund Ghana’s Koforidua Branch.
The first day of the trip saw the delegation split into two groups, Group A visited Fanteakwa North for a courtesy call on the District Assembly and had a meeting with the DCE Hon. Charles. O. Amoah at Begoro, while team B visited the Regional Administration for a short courtesy call and a brief meeting with Regional Minister, Hon. Seth Acheampong at Koforidua. Subsequently, both groups converged in the community of Abourso, where they were warmly received by beneficiaries and local leaders. The board Chair of World Vision, Mr. Baafour Otu-Boateng thanked the Abourso community for their cooperation and for allowing them to serve the community. He also emphasized that World Vision is a Christian-oriented, child-centered, and community-empowering organization. "It is through the love of Christ that we strive to serve communities with love," he said. The Board member of VisionFund Ghana, Mr. Jonas Quaye, also appreciated the people of Abourso for their active support of the work of World Vision in the community. He also encouraged them to take care of the mechanized water that has been provided for them so that they can use it for a long time. The highlight of the day was the inauguration of a mechanized water system, a project undertaken by World Vision Ghana.
As a Christian-centered organization, the team started day two with a morning devotion at the Fanteakwa Area Program Office led by the board chair of World Vision Mr. Baafour Otu-Boateng. The delegation then proceeded to Bosuso, where they interacted with children from the Shining Star Kids Club, an initiative aimed at nurturing leadership skills and creativity among children. The leader of the kids club warmly welcomed the team and took them through the importance of washing hands and the procedure to effectively wash hands before interactions.
The Shining Star Kids Club presented wonderful insights into child participation in decision-making and brought out the raw truth on the things that need to be done to effectively involve children’s voices and execute child programs that are in the best interest of the children. They also exhibited some crafted bead jewelry that they had beaded themselves. It was exciting to watch these kids execute their talent in public speaking, and the level of intelligence of the kids throughout the engagement was impressive. The kids expressed gratitude to the Boards for their visit, opportunities, and support, and requested that their input be included in programs aimed at benefiting them.
Later, that day both teams held a board meeting to review their progress in the area of Integration between World Vision Ghana and VisionFund Ghana.
On day three, the CEO of Vision Ghana, Mr. Frank Alornu led devotion which was followed by group activities focusing on different aspects of community development. Group One visited Edjeikrom to interact with beneficiaries of the WASH loan facilities, witnessing firsthand the positive impact of VisionFund Ghana's initiatives on sanitation and access to clean water. The team met with a group of beneficiaries of World Vision projects and the VisionFund WASH loan, including the Assembly Man and three Chiefs of the area.
The Assembly Man, Mr. Mohammed Adjei Warmly, welcomed the team and expressed gratitude for VisionFund Ghana's support and dedication to hygiene by giving them loans to build toilets and connect portable water systems to their homes. He mentioned that before the loans, their children had to walk long distances to fetch water for bathing before they go to school.
Mr. Kwartei Cottey narrated his experience, saying that before the loan, they had to use a public toilet that collapsed during a heavy rainstorm. He spoke to the Assembly Man, who informed him about VisionFund Ghana. After two weeks of registering, he received all the materials he needed to construct a toilet facility, which he now has in his house.
Mr. Thomas also thanked World Vision for training him to construct toilet facilities. He now oversees the construction of all the WASH facilities in the area, which has boosted his finances. Other members of the community shared similar stories, and the team visited some of the completed WASH facilities in the area.
Group Two visited the Nkankama Community to interact with beneficiaries of livelihood interventions, including the S4T group. They also toured the WVG Board support project, a renovated healthcare facility.
The joint field trip to Fantseakwa AP demonstrated the tangible benefits of collaborative efforts between World Vision Ghana and VisionFund Ghana in fostering holistic community development. From infrastructure projects to financial support and child-focused initiatives, the organizations have made significant strides in improving the lives of individuals and families in the Fanteakwa District. The delegation was happy about the progress made in empowering the communities and giving them hope and reaffirmed their commitment to do more at leadership levels to serve vulnerable communities with compassion and integrity.