Alliance for WASH Advocacy calls for creation of Sanitation Fund
The Alliance for WASH Advocacy (A4WA), a coalition of civil society organisations (CSOs) and networks in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene sector has paid a courtesy call on the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Mr Joseph Kofi Adda in Accra.
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The delegation include representatives from the Intervention Forum, SNV - Ghana, WaterAid Ghana, CONIWAS, World Vision, SafeWater Network, People’s Dialogue, Catholic Relief Services and Plan International, Ghana.
Sanitation Fund
Interacting with the Minister, the group called on the Government to establish a Sanitation Fund which they said would cushion government policies geared towards addressing sanitation issues in the country.
In addition, the group said the fund would encourage the private sector and other corporate organisations to make inputs, thereby, having an avenue to channel resources into it.
The coalition also proposed some key areas for consideration in the development of the Ministry’s Strategic Plan and beyond; namely review and alignment of sector policies, provision of adequate sanitation financing and intensification of efforts towards ending Open Defecation.
Buttressing the need for the fund, a WASH Technical Coordinator, World Vision, Mr Attah Arhin, said involving the private sector would help drive government’s commitment to see to it that the WASH sector grows.
He said research shows that 20 per cent of Ghanaians practice open defecation in a day; adding that, considering its health implications and its negative impact on tourism, there should be appropriate measures to curb this menace.
Government lauded
On behalf of the Alliance, the Chief Executive Officer of Intervention Forum, Ms Nora Ollennu lauded the Government on its recent launch of the National Sanitation Campaign project, which was geared towards addressing sanitation and hygiene issues in the country.
She said the Coalition believed that through evidence-based advocacy by CSOs, a lot of headway could be made in alleviating the negative WASH conditions that affect the people.
“As allied partners, we essentially look to contribute positively to national sanitation policy changes/reforms, by linking generated evidence to engender consensus building with key national actors so as to improve upon existing policy and implementation support mechanisms for effective WASH service delivery at all levels,” she stated.
“We hold the belief that through evidence-based advocacy by right holders and CSOs; and strong dedication by duty bearers towards fulfilling commitments, a lot of headway can be made in alleviating the negative WASH conditions that affect masses in the country,” she added.
Ms Ollennu said as allied partners, they were eager to contribute positively to national sanitation policies by linking evidence to engender consensus building with key national actors to improve upon existing policy and implementation support mechanisms for effective WASH service delivery at all levels.
Response
In his response, Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources said the Government was already concerned about issues raised by the Coalition; and as such the Ministry had embarked upon reviews of policies in the WASH sector.
Mr Adda added that the Ministry intends to synchronize the broad strategies under the policies and come up with a strategic plan.
He said this would be a broad map to provide directions; then they could further drill down to each of the specific areas of interest and as well work out the detailed plans to ensure its implementation.