Advocates for Community Alternatives (ACA), a non-profit organization, has partnered with four District Assemblies in Ghana to implement the Facilitated Collective Action Process (FCAP) in 45 communities. The FCAP also known as 'Oman yie die' to wit, 'The Development of the Country' is being implemented in communities selected from Abuakwa South, Fanteakwa South and Atiwa West District of the Eastern Region and Nkoranza South Municipality in the Bono East Region. The 'Oman yie die' is a platform which encourages communities to create a common development vision and equip them with skills and financial resources including a $9,000 micro-grant for the implementation in each district. As part of the collaboration, each district assembly would provide supervision, technical support as well as counterpart funding of $1,000 towards each of the projects. This was made known at separate ceremonies at Akrofufu and Awenare in the Atiwa-West district to kick-start start implementation of the project. Nana Ama Nket ia Quaidoo, Director of Community Driven Development of ACA, mentioned that community needs such as mechanized boreholes, markets and classroom blocks were some of the projects provided under the FCAP. Others being implemented in some of the communities include livelihood enhancement projects such as palm oil production centres, pastries-making centres, corn-mill operations, and piggery farms. So far, the 'Oman yie die' project has proven to be a cost-effective way to give wings to communities' dreams for development and protects them from threats to their livelihoods. She said the long-term goal was to adopt FCAP as the main development tool by all district assemblies in the country to facilitate development and improve the living conditions in rural communities. Mr Douglas Amponsah, Atiwa-West District Chief Executive said the objectives of the project were in line with the Assembly's Medium Term Development Plan with increased participation of the people. He entreated people in the beneficiary communi ties to support the implementation of the various projects with communal labour to augment the financial support from ACA and the District Assembly. Last year, ten communities namely Abompe, Saaman, Bososo, Kplandey, Nsutam, Dome, Dwenase and Heman in Fanteakwa South District; and Asikam and Ahwenease in Abuakwa South Municipality began implementing FCAP as part of the expansion. Source: Ghana News Agency