The objective of the conference like previous conference was to repurpose CSO role in stimulating development and the implementation of actionable policies, plans and programmes for achieving improved access to WASH working actively in partnership with the government, development partners and the private sector.

The annual WASH conference dubbed “Mole Conference Series” is the biggest platform where Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), states agencies in the WASH sector and the media meet of the Ghana to review the current sector landscape and identify contextual issues for reflections, as well as to stimulate dialogue on sector best practices.

This year’s conference which is the 31st edition of Mole Conference Series was under the theme: “Prioritizing and Refocusing Sustainable WASH Services Delivery: Lessons from The COVID19 Pandemic”. This year’s event”, attracted government, private sector, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and donor organizations in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector in Ghana.

Addressing participants at the opening, Executive Chairman of the Coalition of CONIWAS, Mr. Martin Dery urged members of the coalition to enhance their collaboration in the sector so as to harness their various resources to achieve the sustainable development goals and ‘leave no one behind.”

Stressing on the theme, he said the Coronavirus pandemic should be a wake up call in for WASH programming and projects so that we can be better prepared for future emergencies. “In view of this, I hope this conference will come up with great suggestions that can move our beloved WASH sector forward to achieve more and to combat any future disasters.”

Similarly, Mr. Minta Aboagye, chairman of the Water Resources Commission (WRC), who chaired the opening session of the conference, commended organisers of Mole Conference Series for sustaining the annual event for over three decades. “Indeed, when the invitation came to me, I could not just refuse it and the question one would ask is, WHY? The simple answer is that MOLE Conference is a BRAND name that has stood the test of time and has over the years garnered both national and international recognition placing it amongst reputable WASH conferences on the international arena.”

He added that the MOLE Conference has become the platform of repute for the WASH sector actors where issues confronting the sector are passionately discussed and far reaching policy statements issued through the release of powerful communiqués that invariable have influenced government policies and implementation strategies in the sector for its betterment.

Most noteworthy is the fact that the MOLE Conference has been organized consistently and continuously for 31 years without any interruption whatsoever making it the platform of choice for the WASH sector.
“The MOLE Conference Series has grown from strength to strength over the years and I recall that similar effort were made in the sector with the Ghana Water Forum but unfortunately it could not gain the necessary traction after some three sessions or so”

The 4-day conference focused on the following sub-themes:
• Drinking-Water and Integrated Water Resources Management
• Improved Sanitation and Hygiene
• Government and Institutional Development
• Technology, innovations, and private sector participation