By Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
Ghana aims to achieve universal access to basic water and sanitation services by 2030, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) 6.
While 87.7% of the population has access to basic water services, sanitation lags at only 25.3% with widespread open defecation. Climate change and funding gaps are major challenges. An annual investment of $1.7 billion is required to bridge the gap.
To this end, the ruling New Patriotic Party (NPP), the opposition National Democratic Congress (NDC), and Convention People’s Party (CPP) had signed on to the Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation’s (CONIWAS) 2024 WASH Manifesto, pledging to work with it if they get elected into office.
The Executive Secretary for CONIWAS, Madam Basilia Nanbigne, disclosed this during a day’s dissemination forum with the media and other partners held in Accra.
Madam Nanbigne told the gathering that the 2024 Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Manifesto is an advocacy tool developed by the sector to guide the next government on what the major priorities are in the WASH sector.
The key issues in the WASH Manifesto are political prioritization of WASH; increased financing of WASH; recognition of Climate Change; threat on water resources, and the links between WASH, health and livelihoods.
The Executive Secretary of CONIWAS explained that political prioritization for WASH is crucial because that is what determines resource allocation to the sector.
“We would like to see WASH budgeting at local government level to increase because what they have now is inadequate and when there is increase budget allocation, it would enhance health and educational outcomes” she added.
Madam Nanbigne urged the government and future governments to understand the impact of WASH on economic development as it has a direct bearing on agriculture, health, education, commerce among others.
She noted that adequate investment in sanitation service delivery is critical to boost productivity, because it reduces and prevents the number of infectious diseases reported to the health facilities and cuts the working hours lost due to these illnesses.
The manifesto encourages political leadership to embed WASH into planning and budgets, ensure timely fund allocation, and promote maternal health and education through better WASH services.
It also asked for institutional alignment to Strengthen WASH coordination with health, climate, and agriculture sectors, emphasizing data-driven decision-making.
About the CONIWAS manifesto
The document is a WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) Manifesto prepared by CONIWAS, focusing on Ghana’s efforts to meet its water and sanitation targets by 2030. It outlines:
- Background: Highlights Ghana’s challenges in achieving SDG 6, emphasizing disparities in water and sanitation access.
- Advocacy Goals: Urges political parties contesting the 2024 elections to prioritize WASH, increase financing, and address climate-related challenges.
- Commitments: Advocates for policies to enhance WASH access in healthcare, education, and communities, linking it to economic growth and public health.
- Actionable Pledges: Lists steps like institutional alignment, monitoring, and promoting WASH as a development cornerstone.
The document aims to engage stakeholders to improve WASH services in Ghana, ensuring universal access and sustainable management by 2030.
