The WASH sector in Ghana is making steady progress in sector engagements and documentation geared towards attaining improved service delivery even after 2015 (MDG deadline). This year has already seen: the approval of the Environmental Sanitation Policy, the launch of the Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) compact, definition of a roadmap for the development of SWAP and regular sector engagements like the Water and Sanitation Sector Group (WSSG) and the National Learning Alliance Platform (NLAP). The launch of the first Environmental Sanitation Conference (NESCON) as well as the outdooring of the National Environmental Sanitation Strategy and Action Plan (NESSAP) all slated for this year.
In July this year the 21st Mole conference took place at Erata in Accra, whilst the three-day 2nd Ghana Water Forum (GWF) just ended on October 21 also in Accra. Mole 21 was an occasion for civil society to engage the entire WASH community, whilst GWF2 offered the opportunity for sector stakeholders to reaffirm its commitment to work towards sustainable safe water and sanitation for all; as well as further highlight the urgent need to address the needs of about 4 million of the 22 million Ghanaians who do not have access to water and the over 19 million without sanitation. This year’s Mole and GWF focused on climate change and sustainability of WASH services respectively. As usual there were sector learning sessions, business forum, children forum, ministerial round-table, presentations, speeches, exhibitions, media stories, etc. However, what is most important is the need to continue this momentum throughout the year and beyond. Whilst we celebrate Mole, GWF and the NESCON among others, let us document and reflect on the outcomes of these engagements, not forgetting to also monitor and learn from the process.