Dr. Bawumia cutting a tape to declare an accompanying water exhibition open
Arrangements are on for the establishment of a National Sanitation Authority and National Sanitation Fund as a response to the sanitation and water challenges in the country.
Vice-President Mahamudu Bawumia, who made the announcement in Ho, Volta Region, on Tuesday, said government was convinced that this would be a game-changer in the national water and sanitation effort.
“In order to effectively coordinate efforts at improving the sanitation situation in Ghana, government has activated the process towards the establishment of a National Sanitation Authority together with a National Sanitation Fund.
“We are convinced that the Authority will give our efforts significant focus, attract the requisite human capacity and mobilise resources for improved sanitation services delivery in Ghana,” he added.
Vice President Bawumia made the disclosure when he gave the opening address at the four-day 30th Mole WASH Conference taking place in Ho.
The Mole Conference, which has been held consistently for the past 30 years, brings together stakeholders in water and sanitation to deliberate on Ghana’s challenges and proffer suggestions that help shape policy.
This year’s conference is under the theme: ‘30 Years of Multi-Stakeholder WASH Dialogue: Reflections & Prospects’.
Vice President Bawumia emphasised the Akufo-Addo government’s commitment to issues of water and sanitation, evidenced in the creation for the first time of a Ministry of Sanitation & Water Resources.
“About 3,350 water and sanitation projects are also either ongoing or have been completed under the infrastructure for poverty eradication programme (IPEP), popularly known as the ‘one constituency one million dollar pledge’. A majority of these projects are to address the provision of water and toilets across every district in Ghana,” he stated.
He urged participants at the conference to come up with suggestions to address the challenges being faced by the country.
The Minister for Sanitation & Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah, outlined a number of ongoing activities to address the sanitation challenge, including the ongoing provision of 20,000 waste bins across the country, and a collaboration with the security agencies to protect the nation’s water resources.