Water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) behaviour change communication (BCC) strategy for the urban sub-sector

The urban population in Ghana using improved water declined from 86% in 1990 to 79% in 2006 and further down to 59% in 2009. About 10% who mainly live on the outskirts of Accra are completely without access to piped water from Ghana Water Company Ltd (GWCL). About 60% of urban population have no direct access to piped water, but rely on tertiary vendors, including Tanker Services Providers, except for the middle zone (Ashanti and Brong Ahafo regions) where Tanker services are not significant. Water quality is questionable as most of the supply is intermittent and drainage problems are considerable in many areas, thus leading to contamination. Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), reports that, water quality at treatment points are good, but get contaminated during transmission due to broken pipes that allow intrusion. Only 18% of the urban population has access to an improved latrine. Nearly 50% use public latrines whilst the rest of the population use other unsafe sanitation facilities and 7% reportedly practice open defecation. In slum areas, the proportion of those practicing open defecation increases to 37%. [authors abstract]