The National Development Planning Commission, in collaboration with the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, the Hilton Foundation and the IRC Ghana, organised a workshop to address issues of inadequate coordination and provide policy responses in the water and sanitation sectors in Akosombo in the Eastern Region.
The workshop was on the theme, “Enhancing Coordination for Informed Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Policy Formulation, Planning and Improved Service Delivery.”
There were representatives from the ministry’s departments and agencies (MDAs), Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), Civil Society Organisations (CSOs), Private Sector, Corporate Organisations, Academia and other development partners in attendance.
The workshop had the overall objective of addressing WASH gaps and ensuring universal access to safe drinking water services at all levels.
The chief director at the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, Noah Tumfo, said the overall objective of the workshop is to address WASH gaps and ensure access to drinking water services at all levels.
He added that, it is also to deepen collaboration with all stakeholders for effective policy formulation.
Tumfo, indicated that pollution of water sources has become a bane of water treatment.
That, he indicated, had compelled the ministry to test the wholesomeness of the water after using a number of chemicals for purification.
Tumfo said this continues to pose a big financial obligation on the ministry and the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC).
“Despite the pollution of water sources and the salination of well water, for which we spend so much to make it pure, we are able to provide water to numerous communities,” he stated.
The director general of the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Kojo Mensah Abrampah, said the workshop serves as an invaluable platform to engage in strategic discussions, share best practices and collectively chart a course towards realising the vision of universal access to clean water, sanitation and hygiene.
He stated that the NDPC is deeply committed to promoting WASH initiatives, including the implementation of policies.
The demand for WASH services continues to increase, with Ghana’s population reaching 30.8 percent and its level of urbanisation estimated to reach 70% by the year 2047.
The WASH requirement to accompany such growth includes an expected improved water source of 99%, household pipe water coverage at 90% and the attainment of 2,262 m3/capita of internal fresh water resources with a daily per capita water consumption of 300 litres.
Reporting by John Attafuah in the Eastern Region
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