MORE than one million people across the country are expected to benefit from a US$51 million investment in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services from 2027 to 2030 under World Vision Ghana’s Universal WASH Service Programme.
The programme will provide WASH services to people in unserved and underserved communities, schools and healthcare facilities across the country, with children expected to be among the major beneficiaries.
The Interim National Director of World Vision Ghana, Joshua Baidoo, announced this at the 5th Children Sanitation Festival 2026 and grand finale of the 7th School Sanitation Solutions Challenge 2026 held in Accra yesterday.
The event brought together children, schools, government representatives, development partners, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to promote sanitation awareness and encourage children to develop practical solutions to sanitation challenges.
Mr Baidoo said World Vision Ghana would continue to strengthen efforts to improve access to WASH services, particularly in communities and institutions that continued to face sanitation challenges.
He said collaboration among government, development partners, communities, schools and other stakeholders was critical to improving sanitation outcomes across the country.
“Partnerships are critical to ensuring that we reach communities and institutions that need WASH services the most,” he said.
The Deputy Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, said the Ministry would continue to support initiatives aimed at improving sanitation across the country.
She said partnerships with organisations such as World Vision Ghana were important in complementing government’s efforts to address sanitation challenges.
Madam Sowah said the Ministry would continue to work with Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), schools, communities, development partners and other stakeholders to promote improved sanitation practices and environmental cleanliness.
She also called for greater involvement of children and young people in sanitation activities, saying early education and awareness could help build responsible citizens who would make cleanliness and proper sanitation part of their daily lives.
At the end of the competition, Nabeeha Sulemana Atiah of Elmina Methodist JHS in the Central Region emerged winner of the 7th School Sanitation Solutions Challenge 2026.
She competed against Candi Fasanah Mwini-Maloo of Star of God RC JHS in Wa, Upper West Region; Nyarko Nhyira Dede of St Anthony RC JHS in Nkawkaw, Eastern Region; and Afia Agyeibea Arko of Methane Methodist Basic School in Accra, Greater Accra Region.
The challenge gave the finalists an opportunity to identify sanitation problems in their schools and communities and present practical solutions to address them.
The festival also provided a platform for children to share their ideas on sanitation and encourage their peers to adopt good hygiene practices and keep their surroundings clean.
BY BENEDICTA GYIMAAH FOLLEY
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