Out of over sixty (60) registered private sector and non-state actors fourteen (14) successfully submitted their final implementation reports on their intervention in the target local governments areas to help local communities. These were screened and passed to an independent verification agent to verify the reports and subsequently to a panel of international and local judges for determination of the ultimate and deserving winners. At the face-to-face judging, the private partners made live presentations to the panel of five judges, who have determined the final winners.
"The mention of our name as first winners came with excitement, especially because we knew the screening process was very fair and transparent and we believed in our effort in rolling out our business model since 2010 that the idea was initiated. We believed we had really prepared ourselves for this prize. Even without knowing about the prize, our passion for implementing the idea/innovation were poised to achieve our goals. We appreciate the recognition of our effort and hope the prize funds which we aim to invest in upscaling to other potential waste water treatment plant will be a worthwhile initiative" said Mark Yeboah-Agyepong, the founder and centre director of TriMark Aquaculture Centre – the first winner of the Private Partner Prize.
The winners are split across first, second and third and three special prizes awarded for initiatives that distinguished themselves for excellence across innovation, partnership and community participation. Honorary prizes and citation were also given to all finalists for their efforts towards supporting implementation of local governments urban liquid waste management strategies.
The Private Partner Prize Winners
TRiMark Aquaculture Centre – 1st winner, 100,000USD for Innovative Partnership with Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly
Clean Team Ghana Limited – 2nd winner, 60,000USD for creating low cost innovative cartridge toilets in partnership with Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly
Nanumba North Youth Parliament – 3rd winner, 35,000USD for outstanding community engagement with both the Nanumba North Assembly and wider community
Live Right Ghana - Special Award, 10,000USD for creating an innovative reusable sanitary pad, made locally. Also undertook community training sessions with Nanumba North District Assembly
Afram Plains Development Organisation, Special Prize, 10,000USD for the design and implementation of WASH interschool quiz and developed a low-cost circular latrine with Nanumba North District Assembly
Training, Research and Networking for Development (TREND), Special Prize, 10,000USD for Innovative capacity building and data collection in partnership with Kumasi Metropolitan Assembly.
Honorary prizes
Adjei Kum Construction Works, Global Communities, Grow Advancement Ghana Foundation, Nyame Tumi So Enterprise, Rural & Urban Sanitation International Ghana Limited, Sap & Sap Ltd, SBP BIO GAS and Volta Waste Limited – Each received recognition plaques and certificate of appreciation for being a finalist.
About the Private Sector and Non-State Actor Prize
The Private Sector and Non-State Actor Prize was launched in July 2017 to boost commitment from the private sector and non state actors in the Stage 2 implementation of the Sanitation Challenge for Ghana. Bill and Melinda Gates (BMGF) in collaboration with Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) secured USD 225,000 to be awarded as specific thematic prizes for successful private partners who provide investments, innovative business solutions and expertise to the 17 contesting local governments in the SC4Gh to enable them to achieve the full cycle implementation of their liquid waste management strategies.
About the Sanitation Challenge for Ghana
The Sanitation Challenge for Ghana was launched by the Government of Ghana in November 2015 as a component of the Ideas to Impact Global Initiative, to stimulate competition among Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) and to encourage inclusive partnership for the design and implementation of sustainable liquid waste management strategies, geared towards bringing transformational changes to city-wide sanitation service delivery. IRC Ghana is the national implementing agent acting on behalf of IMC Worldwide with technical support from Maple Consult (Ghana).
The final award event, the grand dignified city award, brought together Government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, competing MMDAs, private sector partners and non-state actors, development partners, traditional leaders, sector practitioners, the media and members of parliament to, i) recognise and appreciate successful MMDAs and private sector partners and non-state actors who contested in the SC4Gh and urge them to continue implementation beyond the event; ii) showcase the achievements of the MMDAs and private partners in the management of urban liquid waste using innovative technologies, partnerships and financing models.
Media Contact details IRC Ghana
Abubakari Wumbei
Communication Learning & Advocacy Coordinator
wumbei@ircwash.org / support@sanitationchallenge4ghana.net