By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
Acting Country Director of Plan International Ghana (PIG), Mr. Frederick Tei-Nobi, has called on policymakers to prioritise issues of Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services.
According to him, WASH services are not only a health issue; they are also a matter of dignity, equality, and empowerment.
The Acting Country Director of PIG, addressing WASH sector stakeholders at the official launch of the second phase of the Integrated Package for Sustainable Development (I-PADEV) Project, maintained that his outfit firmly believes that improved WASH services promote the empowerment of girls and women by enhancing their dignity and strengthening their position within the community.
“As we all know, when WASH facilities are inadequate, it is the girls and women who bear the greatest burden,” Mr. Tei-Nobi said.
According to him, poor WASH situation in schools is very troubling, indicating that inadequate water and sanitation facilities disproportionately affect girls’ educational outcomes and, ultimately, their economic empowerment and social status.
“Many schools lack basic facilities for menstrual hygiene management, such as private changing spaces, running water, proper disposal systems, and access to menstrual materials. As a result, menstruating girls often face stigma, restricted mobility, and cultural barriers that limit their participation in school and daily activities. Indeed, the lack of adequate WASH facilities in schools remains one of the key contributors to girls dropping out of school.
Distinguished guests, over the past three years, Plan International Ghana implemented the first phase of the Integrated Package for Sustainable Development (I-PADEV) Project in the Jasikan Municipality of the Oti Region and the West Mamprusi Municipality of the North East Region.
The project aimed to create resilient and protective environments at home and in schools to improve health and learning outcomes for children, especially girls, through equitable access to quality WASH services. I am proud to say that we made significant progress, demonstrating strong performance across all water, sanitation, and hand hygiene indicators.
Today, we gather to launch the second phase of this transformative WASH project, which will improve the lives of 14,766 people in 16 communities across the Guan and Wa East Districts of the Oti and Upper West regions, respectively. This initiative will increase access to safe drinking water, sanitation, and hygiene services, with a strong focus on vulnerable girls and women, creating protective environments where they can thrive,” he said.
With a budget of one million, three hundred and sixty thousand, six hundred and three Euros (€1,360,603), Phase Two of the I-PADEV, which will run for 32 months, will prioritize schools by providing basic WASH facilities and services that enhance learning outcomes, particularly for adolescent girls.
In addition, the project seeks to promote gender-responsive parenting and strengthen healthcare services to support Early Childhood Care and Development. Beyond health and education, this project will create economic empowerment opportunities for young women, ensuring a sustainable and lasting impact.
