Community Initiatives Supporting the Management of CHPS Compound in Domangyili, a Community in the Wa West District, Upper West Region, Ghana

Abstract

This presents and analyses the study's findings based on responses from 26 participants, all of whom provided informed consent (100%). The demographic data indicate that the majority of respondents were male (73.1%), with more than half aged 36-45 years (53.8%). Educational attainment was generally high, with 80.8% reporting tertiary-level qualifications. Most respondents were ordinary community members (69.2%) who had resided in Domangyili for an extended period, suggesting substantial familiarity with the CHPS system and its operations. The findings demonstrate that the Domangyili community plays an active role in supporting the management of the CHPS compound through a range of locally driven initiatives.

These efforts include communal labour, financial contributions, and the provision of materials for infrastructural development, such as the construction of a maternity block, public urinals, placenta pits, and boundary tree planting. Additional interventions—such as establishing the Village Emergency Ambulance Service, Mother-to-Mother support groups, and local security arrangements—further enhance service delivery. Community members also contribute to routine operational activities, including facility maintenance, financial support, participation in health-related meetings, escorting pregnant women, and reporting emerging health concerns.

Local governance structures were highly prevalent, with 92.3% of respondents reporting the presence of community committees, such as the Community Health Management Committee, and Mother-to-Mother groups. These bodies mobilise resources, participate in decision-making processes, monitor staff performance, and facilitate communication between CHPS personnel and residents. Participation is primarily driven by factors such as trust in health staff, a sense of community ownership, effective leadership, and strong social cohesion. External support, mainly from the District Health Administration and non-governmental organisations, has supplemented community efforts by providing solar power systems, mechanised boreholes, non-drug supplies, and motorcycles for outreach activities.

Despite the high level of involvement, several constraints were identified. These include financial limitations, inadequate staffing, low volunteer motivation, weak leadership in some areas, limited health knowledge, and communication gaps. Cultural and language differences, misconceptions regarding CHPS roles, and the absence of incentives further restrict participation. Although instances of conflict were infrequent, occasional tensions arose over drug shortages, security contributions, and concerns about trust.

All in all, community participation was reported to have considerably strengthened healthcare delivery at the Domangyili CHPS compound. A significant proportion of respondents (88.5%) perceived a positive impact, highlighting improvements in service quality, increased service utilisation, enhanced collaboration, reductions in maternal and child mortality, and heightened community ownership. CHPS staff similarly emphasised the value of community contributions. To sustain and enhance these gains, respondents recommended capacity-building for volunteers, improved logistical support, stronger leadership structures, enhanced communication strategies, and a review and restructuring of existing committees to optimise their effectiveness.