From Glasto to Ghana

Ghana - the beneficiary country of Glastonbury Festival 2000

Ghana, situated on the west coast of Africa, is a tropical country, bordered by Burkina Faso, Togo and Côte d'Ivoire. It is one of the most densely populated countries in the region.

When Ghana regained its independence in 1957 it was one of the richest nations in Africa. It produced a tenth of the world's gold, and was a leading cocoa exporter. However, since then it has suffered a series of setbacks including coups, food shortages and corruption. The country's per capita income is now lower than it was in 1960.

Why does Ghana need our help?

• In some areas up to 75% of the people depend on streams, rivers, ponds and open wells for drinking water.
• Often in the dry season only stagnant water is available.
• Stagnant water is a breeding place for mosquitoes (causing malaria) and also puts people at risk of diseases like cholera, diarrhoea, bilharzia and skin rashes.
• As sources become scarce women and children are forced to walk long distances to collect contaminated water.
• Education suffers as children don't have time to go to school and teachers are reluctant to accept postings in areas with no clean water.

How is WaterAid helping in Ghana?

WaterAid in Ghana works with project partners to provide an integrated water supply as well as sanitation and hygiene education to communities.

The approach in Ghana has been to focus on one water supply technology - the hand dug well. Water lifting is either by a rope and bucket or by a Direct Action Nira Handpump. This technology is appropriate, affordable, accessible by communities and therefore sustainable.

Communities are involved in all aspects of the projects. Through partners they plan, construct and take responsibility for the maintenance of their project. The communities select committees of about 7 people (male and female) to see the project through. Two committee members will be trained as pump caretakers.Improved sanitation is through the promotion of the VIP (Ventilated Improved Pit) latrine. Two people are selected from the community to take over the construction of the VIP's from the project staff. Incidentally - these are the same design as the latrines built for Glastonbury Festival!

Hygiene workshops are held, focussing on key behaviours which significantly impact on the transmission of water and sanitation related diseases. These are: disposal of human excreta, preparation & storage of food, water source protection & use (i.e. water storage/transport, personal hygiene and domestic and environmental hygiene Everyone gets involved, and the sessions are very interactive, with villagers generating discussion and asking lots of questions.

What can the Glastonbury Festival donation buy?

Money goes a long way in Ghana - every penny we raise is put to good use. Here are just a few examples of what the money can buy:

• £4 Buys one spade
• £10 Buys one pneumatic chisel
• £27 Pays for a rope ladder to climb inside a hand-dug well
• £42 Pays for one communal latrine
• £100 Buys a full tool kit for a village to dig a hand-dug well
• £200 Buys a well mould
• £500 Buys a handpump

A typical project in Ghana costs around £30k to £100k, and an average one of £50k (which is the amount raised from the 2000 festival) would benefit 3000 to 4000 people in rural areas. This would cover all the elements of water provision, sanitation, hygiene promotion and training.