NGO assesses WASH progamme

 The Coalition of non-governmental organisations (NGOs), operating  in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS), on Thursday held a meeting in Accra, to assess government’s progress in realisation of the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH)  progamme.

CONIWAS is an alliance of NGOs and civil society organisations working with other stakeholders to promote WASH and influence policies, to remove barriers and promote access to safe water, especially for the poor and vulnerable.

The vice chairperson of CONIWAS, Attah Arhin, said the assessment was done based on the 11 directives stated by President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo during the launch of the National Sanitation Campaign, in 2017.

According to him, the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources has made limited progress in achieving of the national sanitation.

Mr Arhin explained that “the National Sanitation Fund (NSF) is fundamental and should be established as promised to ensure sustainable financing for improved sanitation services delivery”.

He said insignificant progress has been made by government departments charged to ensure good sanitation.

Mr Arhin said “our rapid assessment of selected Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) reveals that insignificant progress has been made in respect of this directive although there has been evidence of some modest gains existing in few MMDAs”.

He said the development of three new material development sites for recovery and recycling has been a significant progress chalked by the government.

Mr Arhin commended the government, but urged that the initiative was extended to other areas.

He said government’s efforts to make Accra the cleanest city in Africa was commendable, and urged the authorities to provide funds for the implementation of the WASH programme.

BY YUNUSAH ESSANDOH