By Emmanuel Mensah-Abludo
The Strategy and Integrated Programmes Director of World Vision Ghana (WVG), Joshua Baidoo, has reiterated that Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) is the fulcrum of development.
He continued that access to safe water, adequate sanitation, and proper hygiene practices are fundamental to achieving broader goals such as poverty reduction, education outcomes, and economic growth.
Mr. Baidoo made the remarks during a Regional Stakeholders Engagement and dissemination programme on WASH Universal Service Coverage in Wa in the Upper West Region.
The event was also used to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between WVG and the Wa East and Wa West District Assemblies regarding the implementation of WASH interventions in the two districts where WVG operates. Mr. Baidoo indicated that despite significant progress, many communities continue to face serious challenges in accessing these essential WASH services.
He therefore called for innovative financing schemes and activities to help surmount the inherent challenges that impact access, quality, and sustainability.
The Acting National Director of World Vision Ghana (WVG) and Associate Director for WASH, Robel L. Wamisho, expressed gratitude to all partners, particularly the Wa West and Wa East District Assemblies, for their commitment to the WASH Universal Service Coverage (USC) programme in the Upper West Region.
Touching on the MoU, Mr. Wamisho said: “What we have done here today is an important milestone in the journey towards reaching everyone, everywhere, in the two districts with sustainable WASH services. I believe what we have done today is to come together to learn and understand the programme and share our joint commitment to its implementation.”
He equally thanked the donors for their magnanimity towards the partnership, saying: “We believe that doing it together is better than doing it alone.” Mr. Wamisho pointed out that the leadership of WVG views WASH as an important enabler for the achievement of objectives in other sectors, such as education, nutrition, and livelihoods, among other targets.
He also stressed the need for Assemblies partnering with WVG to pay attention to the sustainable use of facilities in their districts.
The District Chief Executive (DCE) for Wa East, Adamu Yakubu, paid tribute to WVG, stating that it has become a household name in Wa East because of the waves it has made and continues to make. He stressed the need for maintenance culture to be upscaled to prolong the usage of the WASH facilities.
The DCE for Wa West, Richard Wulo, pledged the Assembly’s commitment to work with WVG by providing the required institutional support to achieve the objectives of their partnership, with specific reference to serving the vulnerable.
The signing of the MoUs was witnessed by the two Assistant Directors, Adam Inusah from the Wa West District Assembly and his counterpart from the Wa East District Assembly, Sulemana Issahaka.
The Programmes Manager of Universal Service Coverage (USC) – WVG, Cephas Wedam, made a presentation on the WASH USC targets from 2026 to 2030.
He touched on the number of people, schools, and health facilities expected to gain access to WASH over the next five years.
Mr. Wedam was excited that, as a result of buy-in at the national level, the government is committed to allocating at least 20% of the District Assemblies Common Fund to WASH.
The engagement served as a platform for partners to cross-fertilize ideas and strengthen collaboration. A short video titled “Mapping the Blue Thread,” which is World Vision’s 2026–2030 global business plan to deliver adaptive WASH solutions for a better, healthier world across 42 countries, was shown as the icing on the cake at the function.
