Accelerating basic sanitation in Ghana – Prof Mariwah

Professor Simon Mariwah, PhD, from the Department of Geography and Regional Planning at the University of Cape Coast has emphasized the need for institutional review, improved coordination, and data-driven decision making to prioritize WASH in the national development agenda.

He therefore called for the establishment of a single ministry for WASH, environment, and related sectors; the creation of a National Sanitation Authority; decoupling sanitation from Community Water and Sanitation Authority (CWSA); and establishing a separate fund for sanitation.

Speaking on the topic “WASH Prioritization and Its Impacts on Social Development” at the just-ended 2024 Ghana WASH Week celebration in Accra, Prof. Mariwah also stressed the integration of WASH into livelihood activities.

He also called for the promotion of innovative technologies and strategies in WASH as well as prioritizing sustainability planning.

The 2024 Ghana WASH Week was organized by the Ghana Coalition of NGOs in the Water and Sanitation Sector (CONIWAS) on the general theme “WASH Prioritization and Its Impacts on Social Development."

Prof. Mariwah stressed the need for stakeholders in the sector to develop data and undertake research, which he described as crucial in presenting empirical evidence to policymakers to prioritize WASH.

“Adequate access to WASH services is essential for health, wealth, and dignity, yet disparities persist across localities, regions, and socio-economic groups. WASH is linked to various SDGs, and improved sanitation and quality drinking water can reduce diarrhoea and mortality rates,” he said.

He said the consequences of inadequate WASH are severe, explaining that “WASH also affects education, livelihoods, and nutrition. Challenges in WASH service delivery include global water scarcity, pollution, climate change, and a lack of resources.”

He urged stakeholders to identify and admit WASH as a societal problem, quantify its impact, develop strategies, commit resources, and monitor progress, adding that “by prioritizing WASH, Ghana can improve the health, wealth, and dignity of its citizens.”

During a panel discussion on Strengthens Institutional Framework for Climate-Resilient, Safe, and Sustainable WASH Services Delivery,” the panellists acknowledged that Ghana has taken a significant step towards ensuring climate-resilient, safe, and sustainable WASH services delivery by establishing a robust institutional framework.

The framework involves stakeholders, including governmental agencies, civil society organizations, and private sector players, to coordinate efforts and resources for effective WASH service delivery.

According to the panellists, the institutional framework is designed to address the challenges of climate change, population growth, and urbanization, which have put a strain on Ghana's WASH infrastructure.

The framework focuses on strengthening institutional coordination and governance, enhancing capacity building and training, promoting sustainable financing mechanisms, and encouraging community engagement and participation.

Other sectors include supporting research and innovation in WASH technologies.

The stakeholders believed that the institutional framework is expected to improve the resilience of WASH services, ensuring that communities across Ghana have access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene facilities, even in the face of climate change and other challenges.

This development marks a significant milestone in Ghana's journey towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6, which focuses on ensuring universal access to safe water and sanitation.

Ghana's institutional framework for climate-resilient WASH services serves as a model for other countries in the region, demonstrating the country's commitment to prioritizing the health, well-being, and sustainable development of its citizens.

Ms. Beata Awinpoka Akanyani, Chairperson of CONIWAS, explained that a comprehensive approach to WASH has the potential to transform the health and wellbeing of Ghanaians, particularly in vulnerable communities, and sets an example for other countries in the region to follow.

“We must not end our advocacy, but let us all work together to raise awareness about the importance of WASH in enhancing public health and disease prevention in Ghana,” Ms. Awinpoka Akanyani stated.

The 2024 Ghana WASH Week served as a platform to highlight the essential role of WASH in achieving the SDGs and its impact on public health, economic growth, educational outcomes, social equity, and environmental sustainability.

The dialogue brought together various stakeholders, including government representatives, development partners, WASH sector players, the Media Coalition Against Open Defecation (M-CODe), and the media.

The 2024 WASH Week includes activities such as stakeholder engagements, media campaigns, sanitation walks, school visits, and religious teachings on WASH.

The event was supported by the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, the World Bank, the GAMA SWP project, UNICEF, the IRC, WaterAid Ghana, Global Communities, Plan International Ghana, SNV, CRS, APDO, and PATH Ghana.

The objectives of the dialogue are to raise public awareness, advocate for increased investment, empower communities, and foster stakeholder collaboration to achieve sustainable WASH services for all.

Other activities to mark the 2024 WASH Week include discussion on institutional frameworks for WASH and facilitating an open conversation about how we can strengthen these structures.

A dialogue on WASH and Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTD), aiming to educate participants on the linkages between WASH and NTDs and highlight relevant interventions, in collaboration with WaterAid Ghana.

CONIWAS members across different zones would also engage in various activities, including district- and community-level engagements.

In the Northern Zone, APDO worked with the Ghana Health Service and other stakeholders to discuss WASH's impact on public health in the Nanton District.

Similar activities focusing on education, including school visits, will take place within the Middle Zone in the Kwahu Afram Plains North-Eastern Region.

Additional activities included radio discussions on WASH by CARO Ghana, ProNet North, Global Communities, and SNV in the Upper West Region, a visit to the St. Johns Integrated Special Secondary Technical School in Navrongo in the Upper East Region, and WASH sermons at mosques last Friday in Tamale.