WaterAid Ghana, a prominent organization focusing on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiatives, underscores the evolving nature of the WASH sector, presenting both new opportunities and challenges. To effectively address these dynamics and expedite progress towards achieving universal access to WASH services and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), innovative interventions and adaptive strategies are essential.
Ms. Ewurabena Yanyi-Akofur, Country Director of WaterAid Ghana, emphasizes the importance of embracing uncertainty as a catalyst for exploration and innovation. She highlights the significance of identifying areas where knowledge gaps exist or emerging data can inform strategies, providing opportunities for groundbreaking solutions and partnerships.
These sentiments were echoed during the annual review meeting of WaterAid Ghana and its partners for 2023, held in Bolgatanga. WaterAid Ghana is currently implementing a five-year strategic plan (2023-2028) aimed at achieving universal, sustainable, and safe access to WASH in Bongo, Upper East Region. The strategy also prioritizes strengthening WASH in the healthcare sector in the Upper East and Upper West Regions to enhance public health and community resilience in the face of climate change impacts.
Ms. Yanyi-Akofur stresses the importance of recognizing both successful and unsuccessful strategies in addressing WASH challenges to facilitate learning and adaptation. Despite some progress, challenges persist, with significant disparities in access to water supply and sanitation between urban and rural areas, and high rates of open defecation.
Dr. Freda Prempeh, Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, acknowledges the cross-cutting negative impacts of WASH challenges on various sectors of the economy. The government has undertaken initiatives to address these challenges, including modernizing frameworks governing the sector and developing the Ghana WASH Development Programme. This program aims to align sector programs and priorities to achieve sector targets and SDG six by 2030, ensuring consistency and harmonization in service delivery.
Dr. Prempeh commends WaterAid Ghana for its contributions, particularly in providing WASH services to underserved communities and healthcare facilities, pledging the Ministry's support to create an enabling environment for development partners to improve the lives of Ghanaians.