Ghana
In 1999 started a technology transfer initiative which was meant to be the example for introduction on the African continent. However, differences in perception, lack of communication, technical errors in the learning phase and who knows what other influences limited its success. It was successful within the context of the possibilities of each of the involved organizations, but the overall result could have been much better.
In May of 1999 high level representatives of the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) made a short visit to Nicaragua (funded by a World Bank supported project) to investigate the potential for transferring the rope pump to Ghana. Representatives met with the Technology Transfer division of Bombas de Mecate. They were suitably impressed by the efficiency, reliability, low cost and availability of rope pumps within Nicaragua and see potential for private sector development of the pump in Ghana. CWSA would thus like to nurture a local production base for the pumps within Ghana, initially supporting several local manufacturers via a guaranteed purchase and by undertaking outreach work with communities in order to install and maintain these pumps.
Testing one of the first rope pumps produced and installed in Ghana
Following the CWSA visit the WSP took the decision to fund a three phase transfer process. Under the first phase, BOMESA went to Ghana in 1999 and helped identify several Ghanaian workshops suitable for the production of the rope pump and the first pump was produced and installed. The local availability of materials required for manufacturing was confirmed whilst during the initial phases of the transfer some parts (such as the ceramic guide box and the pistons) were supplied from Nicaragua. The capacity for producing these parts in-country does exist and will ensure long-term local supply.
During the second phase representatives of the two Ghanaian workshops visited Nicaragua to undergo further training in both technical and marketing issues.
Phase three covered quality control, training in pump installation, marketing strategies and some other aspects.
The main actors in the process were the private sector in Ghana and Nicaragua, the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) in Ghana, the Water & Sanitation Programme (WSP) of the UNP/World Bank and the World Bank itself through a programme loan to support the Government of Ghana to extend the coverage of sustainable water and sanitation facilities, where CWSA is the executing entity.
RESULTS
Two Workshops, one in the North in Tamale and one in the South in Tema near Accra, produced and installed 50 pumps each.
High assimilation of the technology by the users. During follow up visits we found that in about 70% of the cases the community, at times with help of a local technician, had done maintenance or repair of the pump.
The workshops made follow-up visits to all the pumps after installation.
The main constraints found their origin in the strategy followed in this technology transfer process. In Nicaragua a step by step process of development, promotion and introduction was followed.
In the Ghana case the workshops signed a contract with CWSA without knowing exactly what it was all about and of course without experience, but with the explicit willingness to make something out of it.
Summarizing, it was like a purchase contract that included production, installation and a follow-up visit. Promotion was explicitly excluded from the activities. The assignment of the places/communities where to install the pumps led to a totally disperse installation at times at distances of a two days drive from the workshop. The relation between user and producer is in these cases totally cut off. As such it is an interesting test on how rope pumps in isolated circumstances will operate. However, in this learning phase errors are made and follow-up is necessary.
To conclude, all parties worked in good faith in this technology transfer process, but the priorities and strategies were not very well geared to one another.
Both workshops still are enthusiastic about the technology and an additional 50 pumps were produced already for third parties.
Detailed information can be made available on request
Contacts:
Workshop in Tamale (North)
Goodman & Sons Company Limited
P.O.Box 287
Tamale
Northern Ghana
Telephone Office: 233- 71- 22468
E-mail: goodmansons@yahoo.co.uk
Workshop in Tema (South)
ENTESEL
P.O.Box C$ 8071
Tema
Ghana
Tel/Fax 233-22-306856
E-mail: entesel@idngh.com