This experiment consisted of a study to assess the significance, efficacy and sustainability of the learning alliance approach in influencing learning and adaptive capacity in the rural water sector in Ghana.
Published on: 10/03/2015
Triple-S has applied strategic partnerships and learning platforms as vehicles for generating and sharing knowledge and for fostering change towards water services that last. In both Ghana and Uganda, research was undertaken to assess the current learning approach and mechanisms for bringing sector stakeholders together to improve water service delivery. In Ghana, a national level learning platform for the WASH sector already existed and the experiment consisted of a study to assess the national platform and the learning alliance approach.
Triple-S strengthened and worked with the existing national platform, the National Level Learning Alliance Platform (NLLAP) and initiated actions towards the establishment of regional and district Learning Alliances in the districts where the project has piloted its interventions: East Gonja in the Northern region; Sunyani West in the Brong Ahafo region and Akatsi in the Volta region. The learning alliances brought together a range of stakeholders to undertake joint reflection and research on challenges, innovations and solutions.
The study concluded that the Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector in Ghana is very vibrant in experience sharing, documentation and dissemination, but recommended a guiding model for a more systematic process of building up and deploying knowledge to better influence policy, programming, and practice.
To ensure a more continuous and systematic approach to learning, it is recommended that the RCN and NLLAP be formally recognised and operationalised.
Moving forward, the UNICEF- funded Sanitation Knowledge Management Initiative will support the establishment of four additional regional learning alliance platforms, with support from the Environmental Health and Sanitation Directorate, Ministry for Local Government and Rural Development and a consortium led by IRC.
Who was involved?
• External consultant (Nkum Associates), in collaboration with Triple-S team
• National, regional and district levels: district assemblies, development partners, nongovernmental organizations, community-based organizations, academia, projects, existing networks, media, water users and service providers, for data collection and analysis
Find out more
See the downloads/links below and the Learning alliance approach in Ghana: final study report (2014), Sector Learning and adaptive management - Briefing Note (2015)
For more information contact IRC Ghana Country Director Vida Duti.