Ashaiman, March 22, GNA - Mr. Alban Bagbin, Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, on Monday said government was striving to meet some key points under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), including improved maternal and child health. He said government, was also focussed on women's empowerment, food security, sustainable development, climate adaptation and mitigation. Mr Bagbin's made this known in a statement read on his behalf during the World Water Day celebration, held in Ashaiman, on the theme: "Basic Sanitation and Clean Water Now."

He urged stakeholders in water and sanitation, to co-operate with the ministry, to work towards achieving the MDGs. The minister assured schools within the Ashaiman Municipality that government would provide them with water and toilet facilities. Mrs. Angela Peasah, Acting Country Representative of the Ghana Water Aid, said the main aim of this year's celebration was to highlight the critical issues concerning water security. Mrs Peasah said Ghana Water Aid in collaboration with other non-governmental organisations like the Church of Christ Rural Water Development Project, People's Dialogue, and Waste Wise, have organised a Cup Raising and World Longest Toilet Queue campaigns, to get attention of duty bearers to the provision of water and sanitation as a basic need for children.

Mr. Adinortey Numo Addison, Municipal Chief Executive, commended the Ghana Water Aid and the Church Of Christ Rural Water Development Project, for the good work they were doing to ensure water security in the country. Mr Addison assured schools in Ashaiman that government would provide them with good sanitation and clean water.

Ms Deborah Acquah, a class two pupil, urged government to take note that access to sanitation and water is a fundamental human right, and should be prioritised as an essential service alongside health and education. She also pleaded with government to tackle sanitation and water issues as the driving force towards progress across the development sectors, to improve child survival, increase girls' education, strengthen economic growth and reduce poverty.

School children from selected schools in the municipality, who converged at the Church of Christ School Complex, to join in the celebration of the day, organised a cup raising campaign and formed a long toilet queue, to signify the urgent need for water and sanitation in schools.