By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
Chairman of the Coalition of Non-Governmental (NGOs) in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS), Mr. Yaw Attah Arhin, has called participants and stakeholders in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector to be mindful that the Mole XXXIII WASH Conference is not the time for lamentations but rather the time for solutions to the mirage of challenges facing the sector.
Mr. Attah Arhin made the call during his welcome address at the five-day Mole XXXIII WASH Conference which is currently underway at the Elmina Beach Resort, in the Central Region.
He admonished all stakeholders to resolve and act on the critical issues confronting Ghana’s water and sanitation sector, including the wanton pollution of Ghana’s water bodies with careless abandon through Galamsey, Sand-winning and other nefarious activities, Limited access to safe drinking water in homes, schools, healthcare facilities and other public places among others.
Mr. Attah Arhin explained that the theme for the 2022 Mole WASH Conference “Ghana’s Commitment to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH): Connecting Systems to Bridge the Service Delivery Gaps” has been carefully selected to reflect the complex mix of interventions and the systems required to deliver sustainable WASH services to Ghanaians, particularly the poor and vulnerable.
“While discussing the systems, approaches, and models of WASH services delivery and how to connect these systems to bridge service delivery gaps, the conference this year will be hoping to achieve the following specific objectives:
a. Reflect on Ghana’s WASH commitments towards achieving national and SDG 6 targets for water, sanitation, and hygiene in the country.
b. Explore area-wide approaches that address equity concerns and promote sustainable WASH service delivery for everyone everywhere.
c. Discuss options for delivering sustainable WASH services to deprived and underserved communities in Ghana.
d. Highlight cutting-edge partnerships with education, health, economic and environmental sectors in delivering cost-effective, affordable, and inclusive WASH services.
e. Review existing innovative financing approaches that are inclusive and self-sustaining.
f. Explore appropriate technology and innovations for delivering WASH services in an equitable and inclusive manner.
g. Develop practical and actionable recommendations for accelerating access to sustainable WASH services.” The Chairman of CONIWAS disclosed.
The Mole Conference Series is one of Africa’s longest-running Civil Society Organisation (CSO) led, multi-stakeholder conferences on water and sanitation.