Empowering Oti: Minister Salutes World Vision Ghana’s Development Efforts
By Vivian Adu, Communications Officer
The Oti Regional Minister, Hon. John Kwadwo Gyapong, has expressed his profound appreciation for World Vision Ghana's impactful work in the region, particularly in the areas of health, education, child protection, and water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH).
He made these comments during a courtesy visit to his office by a World Vision Ghana team led by Irvine Aboagye, the Southern Operations Manager for the Oti Region.
The visit aimed to strengthen collaboration with the Oti Regional Coordinating Council (ORCC) and explore further partnership opportunities in addressing critical developmental challenges within the region.
When welcoming the delegation, Hon. Gyapong expressed his gratitude for World Vision Ghana's numerous interventions across various districts in the region. He commended the organisation in particular for its health, education and community water supply projects, and for its commitment to addressing issues of child labour, especially in Krachi Nchumuru.
‘I am grateful for World Vision’s continuous support and the tangible impact that your projects have had on our communities. However, I would like to see a more strategic approach to some of our long-standing issues, particularly with regard to tackling child labour in the fishing industry along the lake. Rather than relying on routine arrests, which have not yielded lasting results, I urge World Vision and its partners to work directly with fishing communities to find sustainable solutions,’ said Hon Gyapong.
The minister also appealed to World Vision Ghana to reconsider its approach to delivering water systems in the region. He suggested a more integrated and comprehensive solution that could benefit wider communities.
In response, Irvine Aboagye highlighted World Vision’s continued investment in the Oti Region. He outlined the organisation’s ongoing initiatives, including the development of school infrastructure, the provision of clean water and sanitation facilities, and the Savings for Transformation (S4T) initiative through Vision Fund. This initiative has significantly empowered vulnerable women and their families.
During the meeting, discussions also touched on key collaborative initiatives, such as achieving universal coverage of water, sanitation and hygiene services (WASH) in the Kadjebi, Krachi Nchumuru and Krachi West districts.
Efforts to combat child hunger and malnutrition through community-led programmes were also discussed, as well as the implementation of youth apprenticeship schemes to promote skills development and employment.
“I thank World Vision for its enduring cooperation and unwavering commitment to improving the lives of people in the Oti region. Together, we can achieve greater impact,' the minister concluded.
This visit marks the beginning of a new chapter in the ongoing collaboration between World Vision Ghana and the Oti Regional Coordinating Council. Both parties are committed to building resilient communities and fostering sustainable development in the region.