According to the Prime Minister of Côte d’Ivoire, HE Danial Komlan Duncan, who officially opened High Level Forum on water and sanitation in Abidjan, Africa cannot remain indifferent while seventy percent of hospital beds are occupied by persons suffering from preventable water and sanitation related illnesses despite the efforts being made by various countries. He said since such a negative situation limits the potentials of individuals in their contribution togrowth and development, “it is imperative to reverse this trend especially due to the rapid population growth in Africa that will cover 25% of the global population by 2050.” “This search for solutions undoubtedly requires the development of an African expertise to serve Africans,” said the Ivorian Minister for construction, housing and sanitation, Mamadou Sanogo. According to the outgoing Chairman of the WSA Council of Ministers, Wassalké Boukhary, this is what justifies the choice for the theme on south-south cooperation for this year’s High LevelForum. On behalf of the Council, Hon Boukhary said WSA’s legitimacy today is found in its commitments to support unserved populations to gain access to safe drinking water and sanitation. “With its mandate to support its member countries in their efforts to provide water and sanitation to the people, WSA has real operational capacity, with more than 300 African experts across most of its member countries and with its 25 years of experience, is able to support necessary sector reforms through innovative financing and technologies and the implementation of viable projects. The 2013 edition of the Forum seeking to promote reflections on a vibrant and effective south-south cooperation to accelerate access to water, sanitation and hygiene for all in Africa, calls on Africans to find local solutions to their water and sanitation problems especially as the global financial situation get unstable. The Regional Director of USAID, official sponsors of the Forum, Anne Dix, reiterated the commitment of the institution to support African countries in finding workable solutions to their challenges. Justifying the institutional reforms ongoing within WSA since 2011, Hon Boukhary said the institution has already supported its member countries to mobilize about 550 billion FCFA to implement various priority water and sanitation projects. He said between 2011 and 2013, the institution has directly provided eleven million Africans with access to improved water and sanitation.SOURCE: Global News Reel.