26 communities benefit from Jubilee LEED

By Juliet AGUIAR, Axim

Twenty-six communities within six coastal districts of the Western Region -- namely Shama, Ahanta West, Nzema East, EllembelleDistrct, Jomoro and Sekondi-Takoradi -- have benefitted from the Jubilee Livelihood Enhancement and Enterprise Development (Jubilee LEED) Project worth US$600,000.

The project -- implemented by CDC Development Solutions, managed by Tullow Oil, and funded by Jubilee Partners -- targetted fishing communities and fishermen and trained them in a one-year programme that is in four components.

The four components are business management training; ice-box construction; fish-smoking ovens; and new, improved skills-training as well as an internship programme for the youth.

Mr. VictorAntwi, the Project Director of Jubilee LEED, speaking at a durbar and awards of certificates to the beneficiaries at Axim in the Nzema East District of the Western Region, explained that in November 2011, CDC Development Solutions (CDS) was awarded a contract by the Jubilee Partners to implement the LEED programme in the six coastal districts of the region.

According to him, the programmes scope included activities to improve the capacity of local individuals to enhance their livelihoods and the abilities of the small- and medium-scale enterprises to access new opportunities for growth in key sectors of the economy.

He said under the business management trainings, fishermen, fishmongers and artisans are trained and given enterprise skills to enable them profitably manage their respective businesses -- the technical training also equipped artisans in the construction of improved ice-boxes and improved fish-smoking ovens.

“We have gathered here today to celebrate and awarding of 740 fishermen, fishmongers and artisans who successfully went through the respective training -- the initial assessment indicates positive signs of development in the way these participants are conducting businesses,” he said.

 Barbara Gbologah-Quaye, the Country Director of CDC Development Solutions, added that the LEED programme is a bold step to support communities in addressing key challenges in the fishing communities through carefully-thought-out programmes that will empower them to explore the many opportunities which can only be accessed by individuals and groups that are organised and willing to adopt simple technologies.

She pointed out that success of the programme rests not only on the participation of the communities in the training and adopting the new technology provided thought the LEED, but also on the support of relevant stakeholders from the private sector: “Buyers who will provide access to market, rural banks that provides appropriate funding options.

“CDC Development Solutions as implementers will continue to engage, deepen and expand stakeholder collaboration to ensure that all resources are harnessed for the benefit of the communities,” he said.

Nana YaaAfriyieOfori-Koree, the Social Investment Manager of Tullow Ghana Limited, said the Jubilee Partners are interested in supporting the fishing the coastal communities -- “We will ensure that none of our activities negatively impact on the section of the community; we rather seek to improve upon the livelihood of the communities close to our operations.

“We have always sought to be open and transparent in our communication and engagement with all our stakeholders and this is something we will continue into the future,” she said.

She said Tullow and the Jubilee Partners are committed to a long and prosperous relationship with all the communities they work with – “You have our assurance that we will always respect the culture and customs of the communities.”

She expressed hope that beneficiaries of the programme will put to good use the skills they have acquired to benefit themselves and the community at large.

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