Stakeholders from local government, NGOs and private sector meet to finalise district master plan.
Published on: 21/12/2017
On December 6-8, 2017 - IRC Ghana and Partners organised a stakeholder workshop in Aburi - Ghana, supported by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation to finalise a 15-year Asutifi North District Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Master plan for achieving the Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6).
IRC Ghana Country Director, Vida Duti who wrapped-up the workshop stated, "I'm encouraged at the level of energies demonstrated and wish to commend all partners for the quality of discussion and inputs. This is a true reflection of our collective commitment towards the realisation of SDG 6 in the Asutifi North District through the full coverage initiative. IRC will engage with the workshop thematic group leads for the final inputs. These inputs will be pulled together with technical guidance from the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC). Hopefully, we will all meet next year for the launch of the WASH master plan - indeed this has been a good meeting."
In a thematic group arrangement participants, drawn from the Asutifi North District Assembly of the Brong Ahafo Region, National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Safe Water Network, World Vision International, Aquaya Institute, and other research, NGO and private sector partners, thoroughly reviewed various components of the draft master plan, outlined key milestones and indicators, and the various costs elements. To guide the discussion, an overview presentation of the draft master plan and two separate business case presentations on water and sanitation respectively led by Safe Water Network and Skyfox Ltd preceded the break-out session.
Opening the 3-day workshop, the District Chief Executive for Asutifi North District, Anthony Mensah said "The level of access to WASH facilities in the District is about 33% for sanitation and 65% for water, which are below the national average. If nothing is done about it, it will be extremely difficult, if not impossible for the district to achieve SDG 6. There is no doubt that, the District has the potential to raise the coverage. The biggest potential lies in the willingness of the private sector to resource and facilitate direct implementation of WASH facilities. I am grateful to our development partners: IRC Ghana, Safe Water Network, Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, World Vision International, Aquaya Institute and many more that have shown high interest and commitment to support the WASH programme." He pledged the commitment of the District towards the process and called for support of all stakeholders to make the WASH programme a model for other Assemblies.
Following the successful process of district selection, district context and gap analysis, a stocktaking of the existing WASH situation and identification of needs and requirements for a full coverage programme, a draft master plan was designed for achieving universal coverage for Asutifi North District. This is to enable Asutifi North District pilot a 15-year District Based WASH Coverage Initiative for the attainment of Sustainable Development Goal Six (SDG 6); and for possible replication in other Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the country.
This workshop was geared towards, 1) finalising the draft WASH Master plan; 2) Prepare and harmonise partners action plan for the next 6 months 3) Clarify roles, responsibilities; 4) Prepare an M&E framework and indicators for the measurement of progress; 5) Agree on the master plan implementation and coordination arrangements; 6) Agree on the communication and advocacy strategy for the master plan; and 7) Cost the master plan.
The WASH Master Plan for achieving full coverage in Asutifi North District, which seeks to create a blueprint for districts to reach full coverage, will be launched in early 2018 and hopefully, the implementation process will start in earnest to ensure that the steps towards full coverage and indeed SDG 6 is in full swing as planned.
For more on the workshop, read the press coverage in the Useful links below.
