Mole XXXIII WASH conference reflections

Published on: 20/12/2022

Elmina, Ghana — Stakeholders at the 33^rd CSOs-led Mole conference reflected on Ghana’s WASH commitments towards achieving national and SDG 6 targets for water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) in the country and concluded that there was the need for system strengthening at all levels and across sectors to bridge the service delivery gaps.

The 4-day conference (Nov 1-4, 2022), organised by the Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS), in collaboration with partners including IRC, attracted 121 participants drawn from ministries, departments and agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, NGOs, community-based organisations, faith-based organisations, academic and research institutions, private sector and the media.

mr_chinia_deputy_minister_mwr.jpg

Hon. Issahaku Chinia, Deputy Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources (MSWR) opened the conference, which was chaired by Nana Kodjo Konduah IV, Omanhene of Edina Traditional Council, Elmina. Attah Arhin, CONIWAS chair in a welcome address stated, “Coming after IRC’s well organised and well patronised All systems Go Africa Symposium, held for the first time in Ghana with support from UNICEF and MSWR, this Mole XXXIII Conference is expected to help us deepen the discourse, take the key decisions forward and consolidate the gains.” He commended government and all DPs for the many water projects completed and ongoing, but quickly observed, “Most of these are in the urban and peri-urban areas. We make a popular appeal for support to the Community Water and Sanitation Agency to enable its ongoing reforms to succeed - in order to sustainably increase access to safe drinking water.”

Under the main conference theme, ‘Ghana’s commitment to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH): Connecting systems to bridge service delivery gaps,’ the conference discussed five sub-themes.

mrs_vida_duti_mole_speech.jpg

The first sub-theme, Area-wide Approaches in WASH Service Delivery was led by IRC Ghana Country Director, Vida Duti. She explained the concept of WASH systems and area-wide approaches using the case of Asutifi North; and called on the sector to explore area-wide approaches to service delivery that addresses equity concerns and promote sustainable WASH service delivery for everyone everywhere.

The other sub-themes included, Multi-stakeholder Partnerships in WASH Service Delivery; Innovative WASH Financing; Shared Accountability for WASH Services Delivery; and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning in WASH Service Delivery.

At the end of the 4-days deliberations, the conference came with a 7-point communique calling for greater political and financial commitment among others:

• Fast track baseline data collection in all 261 MMDAs to feed into the sector information system (SIS) and roll out
• Consciously work to strengthen WASH systems at all levels - demonstrating linkages between relevant system building blocks in all projects and ongoing sector reforms. 
• Increase budgetary allocations to WASH and related WASH sectors - health and education through cross-sectoral and system strengthening approaches.
• Strengthen enforcement of regulations and accountability on institutional WASH (health, education, and prisons) at all levels.
• Expedite action towards establishing the National Sanitation Authority and the National Sanitation Fund.
• Take immediate steps to develop a framework for managing the Sanitation and Pollution Levy 
• Make specific provisions for private sector involvement in the new CWSA reform bill currently before parliament.

For the full Mole XXXIII WASH conference communique see the download under More info.

mrs_vida_duti_receiving_plaque_coniwas.jpg

CONIWAS used the platform to present appreciation plaques to the main convening partners, including IRC, in recognition of their backing; and called for their continued support in advocating for the implementation of the key decision points towards sustainable WASH service delivery for all.