Lewuniyiri: A community-managed tricycle has been inaugurated at Lewuniyiri in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba District of the Savannah Region to improve access to market centres and provide affordable emergency transportation for residents.
According to Ghana News Agency, the intervention is designed to tackle the community's ongoing challenge of limited, unreliable, and costly transportation to nearby markets, as well as to enhance the movement of farm produce, agricultural inputs, and other essential goods. The tricycle was introduced as part of the Promoting Rural Opportunities for the Vulnerable and Excluded (PROVE) for Sustainable Development in Lewuniyiri project, implemented by CSD Reform, an NGO, under the Governance, Rule of Law, and Peacebuilding for Sustainable Development Flagship Programme.
The project is being carried out in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme Ghana, with financial support from the Governments of Denmark, Luxembourg, and South Korea. The initiative aims to bolster sustainable livelihoods, market participation, resilience, and social cohesion among vulnerable women, youth, and pastoralist households in the area.
During a community ceremony to commission the tricycle, three young men were designated as operators after undergoing practical training in tricycle management, road safety, and basic maintenance. They will operate under the supervision of the community's inter-ethnic Project Management Committee (PMC) and coordinate with the Treasurer to ensure proper scheduling, recording, and accounting for the tricycle's commercial use.
The tricycle will enable community members and livelihood groups to transport products such as shea and dairy products more efficiently to market centres. Residents often travel to Gbiniyiri, Saru, and Kalba for trade and essential commodities, making transportation a significant constraint.
Beyond commercial uses, the tricycle is expected to facilitate the movement of agricultural inputs and equipment and provide emergency transportation for sick individuals, including pregnant women, children, and other vulnerable members of the community. Under the project's operational arrangements, emergency use of the tricycle will be prioritized free of charge or at subsidized rates to ensure financial constraints do not hinder access to urgent transportation.
The tricycle has been registered with the Driver and Vehicle Licensing Authority, ensuring its safe and accountable operation. To ensure the intervention's long-term sustainability, the community has agreed to deposit revenue from the tricycle's commercial operations into a dedicated local bank account. The PMC has pledged to complete the account registration process and provide regular financial updates during community meetings to promote transparency and accountability.
This intervention is part of CSD Reform's broader efforts to promote climate-resilient livelihoods, inclusive economic opportunities, and stronger community systems in Lewuniyiri, a geographically isolated border community facing poverty, climate stress, limited access to basic services, and ongoing market access challenges.