The Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS) over the weekend issued a communique presenting a seven points statement for government and Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector stakeholders’ consideration and action.
The communique was developed out of a five-day deliberation by CONIWAS members and WASH sector partners during the 33rd edition of the annual Mole WASH Conference held at Elmina in the Central region from the 31st of October to 4th November 2022.
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The seven points statement was centered on the theme for Mole XXXIII Conference: Ghana’s Commitment to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH): Connecting Systems to Bridge Service Delivery Gaps.
The Conference, in the communique recognized the urgent need to strengthen enforcement of regulations and accountability on Institutional WASH in health, education, and correction facilities across the country.
Mole XXXIII called on the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Interior to demonstrate active leadership in prioritizing the provision and enforcement of WASH standards in all health care facilities, basic and secondary schools by November 2023.
The Conference further called on the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources to expedite action towards establishing the National Sanitation Authority and the National Sanitation Fund.
The coalition wants the government and sanitation actors to develop innovative financing that offers low interest loans to poor households to improve access basic sanitation.
CONIWAS said it will take keen interest in advocating for the establishment of National Sanitation Authority, promising conference of actionable report at the next Mole conference.
CONIWAS and stakeholder partners also called on the Ministry of Finance and MSWR to take immediate steps to develop a framework for managing the Sanitation and Pollution Levy (SPL).
The Conference wants the Ministry of Finance to immediately render account of inflows and disbursements made on the SPL.
“CONIWAS would continue to engage Parliamentary Select Committee and Ministry of Finance on the SPL between January,2023 and November,2023’’, item six of the communique stated.
Members of CONIWAS wants the new Community Water and Sanitation Authority (CWSA) law to create an enabling environment to empower the private sector to lead initiatives in WASH services delivery.
Conference therefore urged the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) and the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources (MSWR) to make specific provisions that promise actionable reforms in the new CWSA bill currently before parliament.
The annual Mole WASH Conference is a CSO-led multi-stakeholder platform aimed at reviewing sector performance, influencing policy decisions, removing barriers as well as promoting access to sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene services in Ghana.
The 33rd edition of the Mole WASH Conference was opened by Hon. Issahaku Chinia, Deputy Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources with solidarity messages from the World Bank Country Director, Mr. Pierre Laporte, Executive Secretary of the Environmental Service Providers Association (ESPA), Ms. Ama Ofori Antwi and the 2022/23 Child Sanitation Diplomat, Miss Maame Akua Ohenewaa Gyimah.
