WaterAID reminds government of $350 million pledge to water sector

Bongo (UE), Feb. 25, GNA - WaterAid Ghana, a British NGO supporting th= e Water and Sanitation sector on Friday appealed to the government to release the $350 million it pledged annually towards the Sanitation and Water for all Ghana Compact in 2010.

The Policy Manager of WaterAid Ghana, Mr Ibrahim Musah, made the call at Bongo during a two- day workshop organised by his outfit in partnership with the Bongo District Assembly and Rural Aid, a local NGO on the effectiv= e management of water, hygiene and sanitation issues in the District. He said the release of the money to water agencies like the Ghana Wate= r Company Limited and Community Water and Sanitation Agencies, would help implement water and sanitation projects to enable Ghanaians to have access to safe, adequate Water and to address sanitation issues captured by the 2015 Millennium Development Goals.

"It is a commitment that government made to the people of Ghana and it must therefore be fulfilled," he emphasised. He called on the citizenry to be responsible in managing Water facilities in their communities to ensure their sustenance. Mr Musah said WaterAid Ghana in partnership with the district assemblies had institutionalised District Wash Co-ordinating and monitoring committees in 13 districts in Ghana including the Bongo District Assembly. "These committees are charged with the responsibility of implementation, monitoring and evaluating water, sanitation and hygiene activities in the districts and would hold review meetings from time to time," Mr Musah said.

Mr Mumuni Damma, District Planning Officer said the assembly was privileged to be part of the wash facility committee. He said it would assist the assembly and stakeholders to offer quality water and sanitation services to the people.

"This will enable the stakeholders to know their responsibilities an= d to avoid duplication of functions so as to improve upon water and sanitatio= n issues," he said. He noted that the workshop which was a platform to share with the participants, the National Water and Sanitation Policy, would help broaden the knowledge of participants and keep them abreast of issues on water and sanitation. The co-ordination committees are made up of representatives from the Ghana Health Service, Ghana Education Service, traditional authorities, deputy district planning officers among others. The workshop attracted 30 stakeholders including heads of decentralise= d departments, water boards and district water and sanitation boards, water vendors, traditional authorities, civil society groups and NGOs.