A new interactive map published by the international development charity, WaterAid, has shown that Ghana is on course to reaching the historic mark of everyone in the country having access to clean drinking water by 2030.

The map, which has been launched online, was released when Ghanaian and other African Ministers responsible for water and delegates arrive for the start of African Water Week conference in Dakar, Senegal. They met for crucial talks on whether they should back a proposed new global Sustainable Development Goal for universal access to water, sanitation and hygiene by the year 2030.

WaterAid is lobbying the Ghanaian Ministers and other delegates for the conference communiqué to include such a commitment. Dr. Afia S. Zakiya, Country Representative of WaterAid Ghana, said: “This map shows that a new water, sanitation and hygiene Sustainable Development Goal that puts Ghana on track to everyone having access to these essential services by 2030 is realistic and achievable.”

Dr. Zakiya noted: “Ghana is one of a number of African countries who are already on course to achieve this historic milestone at current rates of progress and most other African countries can get there with relatively modest improvements in levels of access. Ghanaian Ministers at Africa Water Week conference should grasp this opportunity to set in motion a happier, healthier and more prosperous future for everyone on the continent.”

The map is understood to be the first online interactive data representation project produced with a predominantly African audience in mind, which is increasingly online and social media savvy.