Govt reaffirms commitment to clean water after ministry shake-up
The Minister of Works, Housing and Water Resources, Mr Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, has reaffirmed government’s commitment to deliver safe, sustainable, and inclusive water and sanitation services across the country.
According to him, the recent dissolution of the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources would not affect the country’s drive for clean water and sanitation.
Speaking at the 4th Multi-Stakeholder Executive Breakfast meeting in Accra yesterday, the minister emphasised that the reallocation of WASH sector responsibilities following the dissolution should not be seen as a setback, but rather a strategic opportunity to re-align, consolidate and strengthen service delivery through deeper stakeholder collaboration.
“The dissolution of the erstwhile ministry is a significant development and should serve as a pivot point for strengthening the WASH ecosystem,” he said. “Let us look forward constructively and not dwell on institutional shifts.”
The event, organised by World Vision Ghana in collaboration with the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources, brought together key actors from government, civil society, academia, private sector and development agencies to discuss the future of WASH services in light of the sector’s recent restructuring.
Themed; “the Dissolution of the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources: A Strategic Realignment or a Potential Setback for WASH Services Delivery,” the meeting seeks to critically assess the rationale, strengths and weaknesses of the new institutional arrangements for sanitation and water.
Mr Adjei noted that with effective coordination, harmonised processes, and private sector participation, the country could accelerate progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 6, which seeks universal access to safe water and sanitation
He lauded the contributions of development partners and non-governmental organisations, particularly World Vision Ghana, for supporting household water connections and improved WASH services in rural, peri-urban and small towns.
“Inclusive and reliable water services are a top government priority because they have multiplier effects on all sectors of our economy,” the Minister stressed.
He further reiterated the importance of creating an enabling environment for greater private sector involvement, especially in hard-to-reach and underserved communities. “Our doors are always open for dialogue. We remain committed to partnerships that promote access to safe, affordable, and resilient water systems,” he said.
Mr Adjei also underscored that changes in institutional arrangements must not dilute the national focus on water and sanitation as development priorities, adding that “The structures may evolve, but our collective mandate remains the same ensuring that every household, school, clinic, and community has access to decent WASH services.”
Presenting on the theme, the Former Executive Secretary, Water Resources Commission, Mr Ben Yaw Ampomah, said the decision was seen as a step that could negatively impact Ghana’s WASH progress made so far.
Also, he noted that, a dedicated ministry housed specialised expertise, therefore, moving responsibilities might dilute this expertise, impacting service quality.
The National Director of World Vision, Mr Jean-Claude Mukadi, said the after the conversation, one the was clear on the mind, “ whether under one ministry or two, we should only be interested in one outcome, greater prioritization and increase investment for accelerated and inclusive Washington services delivery that leaves no one behind.”
BY CECILIA YADA LAGBA
