World Vision Ghana holds successful WASH investment summit

Accra, Ghana—In an effort to enhance water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services across the nation, World Vision Ghana held a pivotal Marketing and Investment Summit at the Labadi Beach Hotel on September 12, 2024.

The summit brought together various stakeholders, including development partners, corporate representatives, NGOs, and private sector players, to discuss investment opportunities outlined in the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDA) Water Sanitation and Hygiene Investment Plans.

A Collaborative Approach to WASH

The summit was a key event under the Enhancing WASH Activity, a project funded by USAID, with World Vision as a partner alongside Global Communities and other organizations.

Mr. Yaw Attah Arhin, Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Technical Specialist, World Vision Ghana, emphasized the importance of the investment plans.

“These plans help identify where each district currently stands regarding water and sanitation, highlight existing gaps, and outline what resources are required to achieve their goals,” he explained.

With the investment plans in place, the focus now shifted to marketing these initiatives to potential partners.

Atta Arhin stated, “The objective is to gather private sector investors, philanthropists, and NGOs together to assess how they can collaborate with the MMDAs to enhance access to WASH services, which are vital for socio-economic development and improved health.”

Addressing the Challenges Facing WASH Services

One of the pressing challenges highlighted during the summit was the impact of illegal small-scale mining, commonly referred to as ‘Galamsey,’ which poses significant threats to Ghana’s water bodies.

Mr. Arhin expressed deep concern over this issue, stating, “As development partners and NGOs, we have heavily invested in the WASH sector, and anything that threatens access to these vital services is alarming.

Our vision is to ensure every child has life in all its fullness. When water bodies are polluted, this vision is jeopardized.”

He called on the government to intensify its efforts against illegal mining activities, urging for a firm commitment that would dissuade individuals from engaging in harmful practices that compromise Ghana’s water resources. “It’s crucial that we prioritize this as a national development issue. With sustained commitment, we can win this battle,” he said.

Achieving Milestones in WASH

Emefa Adjoa Baidoo, Deputy Chief of Party for Global Communities on Enhancing WASH Activity Project, also addressed the significance of the summit.

She described it as a “major milestone” in the WASH sector, facilitating the MMDAs to effectively market their investment plans.

Mrs. Baidoo remarked, “The WASH investment plans outline how to implement sustainable water and sanitation initiatives in communities, ensuring access for the vulnerable and marginalized populations.”

She conveyed optimism regarding the potential outcomes of the summit, stating that the MMDAs possess untapped capacity and resources that could greatly benefit from strategic partnerships with the private sector.

She noted, “Identifying gaps and building capacity within the MMDA’s infrastructure has revealed the wealth of opportunities that exist in the water sector.”

Looking Ahead

The summit culminated in meaningful discussions about how stakeholders can work together to promote investment in WASH programs that ultimately serve Ghanaian communities.

Various speakers emphasized the critical need for ongoing collaboration to ensure that access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services continues to improve, safeguarding the health and future of Ghana’s children and families.

As the event concluded, the commitment from all stakeholders to work towards overcoming current challenges was palpable, highlighting a shared vision for enhanced access to essential services across the nation.

Source:Joseph Kobla Wemakor