The day the gods paid communities' share of the capital costs for a water project at Asutsuare (part 2).

By Oliver Frimpong, Participatory Trainer, Communications and Community Development Expert.

(This is the second part of the the personal experiences of Mr. Oliver Frimpong. To read part one of this story, clique here)

The wealthy

It appeared the gods had heard and acted decisively. But behind it all was the ingenuity, cunning, positive, quick thinking and quite diplomacy of one man – the young fetish priest at Gbese. He had brought his psychology into play. Few days after I had left him, he had contacted the big, well- to- do sons and daughters living both inside and outside of the community, informed them about the project and had impressed upon them the urgency of the situation. His action later set the pace and tone for the general mobilisation of funds in the rest of the communities as it awakened the competitive spirit of the people of the area.

‘The gods are impatiently waiting for your help’, he had told them.

The big Gamble – Pouring Libation

The young man had taken a big gamble, basing it on his influence, power and popularity among the wealthy members of his adherents - and there was quite a great number of them too. Within days, a lot of them had come forward to pledge and promise various sums of money as their contributions towards the provision of potable water for the communities. This was the moment the young priest had been waiting for and he eagerly seized it when it came. All the time playing his trump card, he would pour libation on any pledge or promise made by an individual thus binding prospective contributors to their pledges and promises, presumably under the ever watchful eyes of the gods. The donations and contributions rose in their tempo and level.

The response

This quick response meant two things – the first, were blessings, peace and prosperity following those who kept their pledges. The second bit was however rather dicey – the price the gods would exact if those who promised and pledged did not keep faith with them. Of course this bit was unspoken and veiled but perhaps it laid heavily on the conscience of those who believed in the swift and decisive consequences of angered and wrathful gods. Whatever it was, the young priest had played his cards well.

The great expectation

Three months later Asutsuare and its neighbouring communities, after signing an agreement with the government, stood ready to access good, potable water once the pipes are laid, the water, pumped into overhead tanks and released to zonal points for sale and delivery into homes and houses, up mountain tops and slopes, in communities hidden in woodlands, schools and hospitals where the water situation is awful.

New lease of healthy life

The day that happens would mark the beginning of a healthy new lease of life for the people of Asutsuare, Lanor, the Factory area and Gbese, the four beneficiary communities - thanks partially, to the hands of the gods, the psychology of a young, public spirited and development focussed fetish priest and an old but experienced community development expert from TREND who had gambled with gods he never believed in.

Paying the price?

Perhaps I also do have a price to pay, for my unbelief and opportunistic behaviour - who knows? Consult my young fetish priest for an answer?

Well.......................

The strategy

Was the strategy an acceptable and positive community development option or was it borne out of the desperation and vagaries of an old bird in the game? (I need a feed back from staff and other readers) What still are the lessons learnt? Keep checking the website, because the lessons learnt will follow soon!