Explore alternative water supply techs "World Vision to govt "
The World Vision Ghana has called on government and other stakeholders to explore and invest in alternative water supply technologies to reach the unserved rural and small towns with safe drinking water.
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The Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Technical Programme Manager of the non-governmental organisation, Robel Wamisho, explained that this was due to the difficult hydrogeology and water quality situation in many parts of rural communities in the country and the inability to serve them with ground water.
He made the call at the stakeholders and media soirée in Accra held in collaboration with the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources.
The soirée was to congratulate the NGO’s team on their collective effort and accomplishments in safe water delivery in the country on the occasion of this year’s World Water Day.
Access
Mr Wamisho noted that the country was on course to deliver sustainable safe drinking water to everyone “if we can redouble our efforts and address the emerging bottlenecks”.
He explained that the country was at 87.7 per cent in the provision of basic access to safe drinking water, per the assessment of the Population and Housing Census 2021.
He, therefore, called on the government to take steps to ensure the realisation of national and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets for safe drinking water.
He advised government to increase investment and support to relevant institutions such as the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), and the Water Resources Commission (WRC) to accelerate both urban and rural water supply in order to curb the perennial water shortages.
“Access to safe drinking water is foundational for improved health, quality education, increased household income, food security, poverty reduction and socio-economic development, and all efforts should be made to make this important resource available,” he stated.
Commitment
Mr Wamisho reiterated his call to government to prioritise access to safe drinking water in communities, schools and healthcare facilities.
He noted that World Vision Ghana was committed in partnering with government, private sector, civil society organisations (CSOs) and other stakeholders to achieve universal access to safe drinking water.
“For us, nothing can be more important to child wellbeing than access to safe drinking water,” he said.
This, he said, had informed the NGO’s heavy investment in WASH professionals and the acquisition of geo-physical equipment, drilling rigs, compressors and water quality laboratory.
“We have constructed over 4,000 boreholes across the country since 1985 and over 150 solar mechanised water systems in communities, schools and healthcare facilities,” he said.
Positive attitude
The Managing Director of Zoomlion Ghana, Gloria Anti, said access to safe drinking water could not be done without a positive attitude towards sanitation.
“This is a call for all of us to address responsible waste management practices,” she stated.
She explained that as part of the Zoomlion’s corporate social responsibility, the company had sensitised and educated the public, especially basic and senior high schools, to adopt a bright outlook towards sanitation by collecting waste plastics.
Accelerating Change
The theme for World Water Day 2023 is a wake-up call to countries and governments to do more in solving water and sanitation crises.
The celebration also coincides with the United Nations’ midterm review of the Water Action Decade.
This provides an opportunity for leaders, governments and corporations to pause, reflect and determine urgent actions that are needed to increase the speed of progress in delivery on universal access to water and sanitation.
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