Sanitation agenda takes centre stage at 5th Executive Breakfast Conversation on June 23

Ghana's sanitation agenda is set for renewed focus as government officials, development partners, local authorities, and sector stakeholders prepare to converge for the 5th Executive Breakfast Conversation, a high level forum aimed at driving urgent action to address the country's longstanding sanitation challenges.

The event, scheduled for Tuesday, June 23, 2026, is on the theme: "Sanitation as a Key Performance Indicator for MMDCEs and the Role of Relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies: Prospects, Opportunities and Constraints."

The conversation seeks to secure the highest level of socio-political commitment and multi stakeholder support toward positioning sanitation as a catalyst for improved public health, job creation, and economic development.

Organised by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs in collaboration with relevant sector agencies, World Vision Ghana and other partners, the forum comes at a critical time in Ghana's sanitation reform efforts.

Mr. Yaw Attah Arhin, WASH Technical Specialist at World Vision Ghana, noted that for the first time in recent years, sanitation has been incorporated into the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) used to assess the performance of Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).

According to him, the move marks a return to the pre-2017 institutional arrangement, placing sanitation oversight and accountability closer to communities where enforcement, ownership and participation are most effective.

Mr. Attah Arhin recalled that during a recent stakeholder dialogue in Accra, sector players expressed concern that persistent funding gaps could undermine efforts to maintain cleanliness and environmental safety, particularly within the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area.

He further noted that stakeholders are advocating a shift from landfill dependent waste disposal systems to sustainable and engineered waste treatment infrastructure, warning that current waste management systems could become overwhelmed if modernisation efforts are delayed.

Over the years, the Executive Breakfast Conversation has consistently highlighted Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) as a critical driver of improved health outcomes, increased productivity and broader socio-economic development.

Now in its fifth year, the platform has evolved into an important mechanism for reviewing progress, identifying challenges and mobilising political support for sanitation and waste management interventions across the country.

Tuesday's event is expected to bring together MMDCEs, sanitation experts, private sector operators, development partners, communication professionals and civil society organisations to discuss implementation strategies under the new local governance framework.

With sanitation now directly linked to the performance assessment of MMDCEs, the forum is expected to examine how policy reforms can be translated into measurable improvements in sanitation delivery at the local level.

Mr. Attah Arhin reiterated World Vision Ghana's commitment to supporting initiatives that contribute to the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals and improve the well-being of children, families and communities.

He stressed that Ghana's pursuit of sustainable development has reached a critical stage, with sanitation emerging as a key indicator of whether local authorities can deliver meaningful and lasting transformation in their communities.