The Transparency and Integrity in Service Delivery in Africa (TISDA) Project is a three-year Project (July 2008 – June 2011) being implemented by the Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII) with a focus on the water supply sector in Ghana.
Introduction
The Ghana Integrity Initiative (GII), the Local chapter of Transparency International (TI) was launched in 1999. It is a non-partisan, non profit civil empowerment organization, focused on the delivery of the essential themes necessary for the creation of a National Integrity System. GII’s vision is to make Ghana a corruption free country in all spheres of human endeavour where people and institutions act with integrity, accountability and transparency.
GII’s anticorruption work is organized under two broad headings, Research, Advocacy, public sensitization and capacity building.
In recent years, GII and some other TI Africa Chapters have focused on efforts of improving governance (transparency, accountability and integrity) in basic service delivery and the TISDA project is one such initiative.
Rationale
Poor governance (defined by TI as lack of transparency, accountability and Integrity) undermines poverty alleviation efforts, increases the risk that funds intended for social spending are lost, misused or misallocated and facilitates the corrupt diversion of public resources.
The Global Corruption Report (2008) which focused on the water sector argued that the crisis of water is a crisis of water governance. Where transparency and accountability mechanisms are weak or lacking, the needs of the poor are marginalized and development outcomes in basic services such as water suffer.
Systems of checks and balances, including Civil Society monitoring, need to be strengthened to reduce abuses of power.
VISION
To enhance the quality of life in Sub-Saharan Africa countries through greater public access to basic services and more effective basic service delivery.
OBJECTIVE
The TISDA project aims to improve accountability and transparency in water service delivery through effective research and advocacy.
SCOPE
There are two phases for the Project:
Phase 1: Assessment and surveys (Year 1): This includes a nationwide research exercise with the aim of creating a Risk map. Risk Maps will assess the institutional performance of water service delivery with regard to transparency, integrity and accountability, as well as the effectiveness of any local accountability mechanisms.
Phase 2 Advocacy and Communication (Years2&3) : These include awareness-raising advocacy, coalition building and dialogue with decision makers and key stakeholders on priorities for policy reforms.
PARTNERS
GII, the main implementing Organization will work closely with Partner groups comprising
AMASACHINA
Center for Participatory Development (CEPAD)
Water Vision Technology
Integrated Community Development
ADVISORY COMMITTEE MEMBERS
Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing (MWRWH),
Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL)
Aqua Vitens Rand Limited (AVRL)
Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA)
Ghana Statistical Service (GSS)
Coalition of NGO’s in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS)
International Water and Sanitation Center (IRC)
