Water, Sanitation and Hygiene are intrinsically linked. These three words are inseparable and they form the basis of primary health care a sine qua non of any human being.
They are by far the most important fundamental human rights issue. It is against this background that the role of the Ghana Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS) in ensuring compliance to the WASH (Water, Sanitation and Hygiene) program is not only gratifying but also very dignifying.
The MOLE 30 years conference therefore marks a significant milestone in their iconic series of annual conferences aimed at evaluating work done so far, identifying challenges and bottlenecks, sharing of notes on successes chalked in the water and sanitation sector and above all creating awareness of the need to hold the WASH program sacrosanct.
At the launch of the this year’s conference at the Volta Serene Hotel in the heart of Ho in the Volta regional capital of Ghana, to mark 30 years of relentless efforts at improving Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Ghana, Chairman of the Coalition, Martin Dery, expressed the Coalition’s gratitude to their partners, notable among them is UNICEF, IRC, WORLD VISION and the various MMDAs.
He acknowledges the CWSA, and the effort to salvage rural water supply; GAMA Project for household latrine coverage in Greater Accra and the School Health Education Program Unit for the Ghana Education Service.
The coalition commits to be active partners in the promotion of Menstrual Health Management and the creation of a safe school environment for children and girls.
Although their core mandate as CONIWAS is water related sanitation in rural areas, the reality of our times compels them to get involved in solid waste, medical waste and feacal sludge management. This will manifest in closer working relations with ESPA and GWCL.
Vice President His Excellency Dr. Mahamudu Bawumia, guest speaker at the launch of the MOLE at 30 conference underscore government’s commitment to water, sanitation and hygiene issues.
This according to him is demonstrated in the creation of a ministry for the first time in Ghana’s history responsible for Sanitation issues, he further added that “to effectively coordinate efforts at improving sanitation in Ghana and in response to your persistence calls, including the call by the Ghana Institute of engineers, government has activated the process towards the establishment of anational Sanitation Authority together with a National Sanitation Fund”.
The 4 day conference focused on four sub-themes namely:
- Drinking Water and Integrated Water Resource Management
- Improved Sanitation and Hygiene
- Governance and Institutional Development
- Technology, Innovations and Private Sector Participation
Story By: Gloria Afetor/radiogoldlive.com
