SANITATION MINISTER CALL FOR COLLABORATIVE EFFORT IN SOLVING WASH ISSUES

STORY BY HAGAR SEY

The Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah, has called on stakeholders in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, WASH, sector to work together in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal Six target by 2030. According to her, issues of WASH are a shared responsibility. Madam Dapaah said this at the opening of the 31st Mole Conference in Accra. It was under the theme, Prioritizing and Refocusing Sustainable WASH Service Delivery; Lessons from the COVID-19 Pandemic. The conference brought together stakeholders in the WASH sector to dialogue on issues concerning WASH in the Country. Madam Dapaah noted that successful achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, SDGs is paramount. She said 17 goals  under the SDG are inter-related, interdependent and mutually reinforce each other. She said the government has not relented on its effort to promote the universal sustainable development agenda and raise awareness on the integrated nature of the Sustainable Development Goals. She said the government’s response to the spread of the pandemic has yielded considerable results; adding that stakeholders in the WASH sector have made significant contributions in the fight against the pandemic. She said the SDG goal six- is the central pillar to achieve many other goals like SDG 1- poverty reduction, SDG 2, food security and SDG 3, good health and well-being economic growth among other goals. She said prioritization of WASH activities in all respects is more important.  Madam Dapaah said the government will continue to partner with to CSOs, including the Development Partners, to support Government agenda in the sector. She said government is committed to improve WASH issues in the country.

 

 

WAG ACHIEVE ITS STRATEGIC PLAN TARGET

STORY BY HAGAR SEY

The Policy Analysis at the Water Aid Ghana, WAG, George Yorke, says the global strategic plan developed by WAG, has been successful in the country, especially in the three Northern Regions. According to him, 80 percent of the 2015 to 2021 target has been achieved. Mr. Yorke said according to a baseline study conducted prior to the activation of the strategic plan indicated that most Hospitals did not have Water, Hygiene and Sanitation, WASH, facilities especially in the Northern Region. The strategic plan was to strengthen and support the capability of governments and other service providers to deliver sustainable WASH services and bridge the inequality gap. The strategy equally sought to enable the poorest and most marginalized persons to realize their rights to water, sanitation and hygiene. Mr. York said the strategic plan focuses on goal six of the SDG targets; saying at the mid-year review it was realized that they have exceeded their target.  Mr. Yorke said 50 percent of communities in the northern part of Ghana have obtained Open Defecation Free status. He noted that most health facilities in Ghana have also become gender friendly while women have been empowered to demand their right. He said partners at the regional and district levels have been strengthened to help achieved the target.