Accra, Dec. 20, GNA – The Government of Ghana and the Netherlands Government are to commence a developmental project on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) to improve on the living conditions of the urban poor.

The five-year project is aimed at improving sustainable uptake and access to urban water, sanitation and hygiene services among school population in four municipalities, especially targeting the poorest and the vulnerable groups.

Mr Samuel Ofosu-Ampofo, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, announced these when a three-member delegation from the Danish Embassy, led by Mr Gerard Duijfjes, Danish Ambassador to Ghana, called on the Minister in Accra on Tuesday.

He said the project to be financed with grants from the Danish Government would start with the sustainable behavioural change and learning among school children in hand washing and other areas of hygiene.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo said the project would improve and increase access of communities to water supply and sanitation facilities through the planning and construction of infrastructure.

He welcomed the involvement of private partnership in the provision of services to the communities to impact on the lives of the people for sustainable growth and development.

The Minister said: “The project will increase public awareness with regard to sanitary behaviour, personal hygiene and public health “.

Mr Ofosu-Ampofo commended the Danish Government for its involvement in a project that would bring relief to urban dwellers.

Mr Duijfjes said the project was intended to establish best practice for the urban WASH improvement in the country.

He said Cape Coast, Elmina, Ga South and Ga West Municipalities were selected for the programme .

Mr Duijfjes said the project would increase the capacity of the local government to provide sustainable water and sanitation.

He explained that the pivotal role of the youth in behavioural change was key to a sustained improvement in the health conditions of the population.

Mr Duijfjes announced that about 700 toilet facilities would be provided under the project for schools in these municipalities.