Current WASH service delivery requires paradigm shift—Sanitation Minister

Ms. Lydia Seyram Alhassan, Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources (MSWR), on Monday, declared that the current Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) service delivery requires a paradigm shift.

“The tenets of the Presidential Compact on WASH therefore encourage us to embrace a more circular economy focus in our approach.

“It would require us to move away from the traditional linear model to a rather more sustainable, efficient, and regenerative approach and see the applied solution as a system. Concepts, plans, and guidelines developed should facilitate this systemic shift, unlocking new opportunities for innovation, job creation, and environmental preservation along the entire WASH value chain,” Ms. Alhassan stated in Accra.

The sanitation Minister stressed that “we should not work in a manner that will only benefit our population but also safeguard their natural environment through the implementation and adoption of climate-resilient strategies.

“These efforts will in no small way contribute to reducing our carbon footprint and protecting our vital water resources.”

Ms. Alhassan stated during the first of a series of High-Level Meetings on the Presidential Compact on WASH, which were attended by stakeholders from the government ministries, departments, and agencies, development partners, the Media Coalition Against Open Defecation (M-CODe), CONIWAS, Civil Society Organizations, private sector, and non-state actors.

The Ministry has rolled out a High-Level Meetings on Presidential Compact on WASH to raise awareness, deepen understanding, and foster collaboration towards collective action for the implementation of the compact.

She stressed that the commitments made in the Presidential Compact represent a comprehensive and ambitious agenda for transforming the WASH sector in Ghana.

“I know these commitments are bold but achievable with your support and deep collaboration,” Ms. Alhassan stated.

The Minister of Sanitation reiterated that to support the sector efforts, the Government of Ghana has committed to investing an estimated US$1.7 billion in annual tranches to meet SDG-6 by 2030 and beyond.

“This is in sync with the targets set in the Ghana WASH sector development programme. The significant financial commitment underscores the priority, as a sector, we place on WASH and our determination to increase and sustain access to services in Ghana,” she noted.

The Minister of Sanitation argued that the government action alone is not enough to meet these commitments; “we, therefore, need the active participation and support of all stakeholders—development partners, civil society organizations, the private sector, and most importantly, the traditional leaders as well as the communities we serve.

“To our esteemed development partners, I urge you to increase your support and deepen your collaboration. Your technical expertise and financial support are indispensable in helping us achieve these commitments.”

Ms. Alhassan explained that WASH civil society groupings’ role in advocacy, community mobilization, and mutually holding the sector accountable would be appreciated.

“We commit to creating more spaces for your participation in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of the various WASH initiatives.

“The Ministry would continue to create the enabling environment for the WASH private sector players. We see you as crucial partners in this journey. Your innovation, efficiency, and resources are welcome in addressing our WASH challenges.

“To our traditional leaders and local communities, you have always been at the forefront of the fight against omission in the delivery of WASH services.

“Your leadership and active participation are essential in ensuring the sustainability of WASH interventions at the grassroots level and, more importantly, in changing the inappropriate behaviours of some of our citizens.”

Ms. Alhassan noted, “I now have the singular honour to present to you the 2024 Ghana Presidential Compact on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene for adoption and implementation. As we leave this high-level meeting today, let us do so with a renewed sense of purpose and urgency towards attaining all the commitments made in this compact.”

The Presidential Compact on WASH was signed by the President of the Republic of Ghana and co-signed by the UN Resident Coordinator on August 28, 2024.

The document outlines the relevant commitments by the government and the role of major stakeholders, including development partners, CSOs, academia, the private sector, and the media, towards the achievement of the objectives of the compact.

It is a result of collaboration between state and non-state institutions and agencies, private sector entities, and an extensive consultative process with all major sector stakeholders.

The outcome is a result of noticeable leadership provided by the Office of the President, the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources (MSWR) in collaboration with, substantial inputs from the Ministry of Finance (MoF), the Ministry of Local Government, Decentralisation, and Rural Development (MLGDRD), and the Ministry of Health (MoH).

The process was hugely coordinated and directed by the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC).

Besides fulfilling national commitments, the initiative also responds to the Heads of State Initiative within the framework of the Sanitation and Water for All (SWA), a global framework for action. an international partnership of national governments, donors, civil society organizations, and other development partners working together to galvanize political commitments to increase global access to sanitation and water.