Water is a central part of maintaining hygiene and sanitation
The Coalition of NGOs in Water & Sanitation (CONIWAS) has called on the government to allocate more funds to the water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) sector.
The Vice Chair for CONIWAS, Atta Ahin, who made the call, revealed that the urgency required to fulfill Ghana’s commitment to Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by 2030 makes it expectant for the government to provide the necessary financial, human, material and technical resources, as well as right policies to realise this ambition the SDG 6.
Addressing the media in Accra, Mr. Ahin said that the group has followed with keen interest recent trends in budgetary allocations and subsequent release to the respective agencies for planned intervention.
He stated that the group has noticed that the trends generally are not favourable for the needed investments in the WASH sector, while most government’s promises, policies and strategies have not been redeemed
The objective of the meeting was to share the results of CONIWAS’ analysis of 2019 budget estimates for WASH sector ministry, departments and agencies and its implications in relation to government’s programmes and projects.
Mr. Ahin added that there are some specific areas of concerns in relation to allocation increments to meet annual investments required for SDG 6, timely release of approved funds and coordination of WASH service delivery.
He disclosed that CONIWAS maintains their position that the 2019 budget allocation for sanitation and water cannot make significant impact on access to sanitation and water, as well as capacity development of the sector ministry to exert the needed leadership required.
The coalition, therefore, appealed to the government to increase its budget allocation from 2020 and all subsequent national allocation to the WASH sector.
By Maame Anima Akowuah