The Deputy Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, Dr. Hanna Louisa Bisiw opened the Mole XXI Conference with a call on participants to make tangible recommendations to inform government on its policies on climate change in Ghana. She observed that if nothing was done to curb the growing phenomenon of climate change the availability of fresh water would be significantly reduced in the coming years there by affecting access to clean water in Ghana.
In his welcome statement, the Chairman of CONIWAS, Mr. Sayibu was very optimistic about the outcome of the conference, stating that “policy discussions during the conference will culminate in the development of a framework to guide and support the efficient adaptation to climate change within the WASH sector for appropriate interventions”.
The Director of Water, Ministry of Water Resources Works and Housing (MWRWH), officially closed the three-day conference on 23rd July, 2010 with an appeal to civil society to continue with the multi-stakeholder collaboration to further consolidate the gains of the sector. He added that, “the gains of the WASH sector can be attributed to the fact that civil society has moved largely away from confrontation to collaboration”. The outcomes of deliberations were documented and presented in the form of a conference communiqué, captured as follows:
MOLE XXI CONFERENCE COMMUNIQUE
“THE GLOBAL CLIMATE CHANGE: A CHALLENGE TO THE WASH SECTOR IN GHANA”
Erata Hotel, Accra - 20th to 23rd July, 2010
Preamble
We, the participants of the Mole XXI Conference,
Recognising the importance of climate change as being “the Defining Human Development Issue of Our Generation”;
Having realised that the effects of climate change affects all persons, especially the vulnerable, including women, children and the physically challenged;
Having deliberated on climate change and how it impacts on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Services;
Having realised that sustainability of facilities provided by Government, Civil Society and other stakeholders is paramount;
Do hereby agree to the conclusions of the conference and issue this communiqué as follows:
DECISION POINTS
Decision Point 1
There should be intensified awareness creation campaigns to bring to the general populace, including children, the opportunities, dangers and challenges of climate change and the need for behavioural and attitudinal changes.
Responsibility – Ministry of Education/MLGRD/Civil Society/NCCE
Decision Point 2
Government and civil society should actively promote rainwater harvesting as one of the practical adaptation options in the water supply, agriculture and construction industries, among others. This can help in minimizing over-reliance on ground and surface water resources.
Responsibility – CONIWAS/MWRWH/MOFA
Decision Point 3
Government and civil society should incorporate and implement climate change adaptation strategies and action plans in various policies, strategies and projects to insulate Ghana from the threats of climate change.
Responsibility – Civil Society / Government of Ghana
Decision Point 4
There should be improved collaboration and regular dialogue among Water and Sanitation service providers and the Meteorological Services Agency, as well as the Water Resources Commission, Hydrological Services Department, Universities, Development Partners, etc in researching, investing and responding to climate change and adaptability issues, research and indigenous knowledge sharing among others.
Responsibility – Civil Society/Knowledge Management Institutions
Decision Point 5
Government should demonstrate more commitment both locally and internationally to the Sharm El-Sheikh declaration made by the Heads of State and Government on Water and Sanitation Goals in Africa especially the commitment to the Africa Water Vision 2025; the Sirte Declaration on Agriculture and Water in Africa; the Declaration on Climate Change in Africa; and the Millennium Development Goal on Water Supply and Sanitation.
Responsibility – MoFEP/MLGRD/MWRWH
Decision Point 6
Government should engage in consultation and encourage active participation of stakeholders at all levels in the WASH sector on the Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) Compact to get the maximum benefits and impacts and also ensure that commitments reflected in it include efforts at minimizing the negative impacts of climate change.
Responsibility – MoFEP/MLGRD/MWRWH
Decision Point 7
The Community Ownership and Management (COM) concept should not be compromised in project interventions in the rural sub-sector and should be devoid of undue influences from traditional authorities, donors and politicians etc., to ensure sustainability of services provided.
Responsibility – MLGRD/CWSA
Decision Point 8
Government should ensure that a comprehensive national disaster management strategy with adequate funding be put in place, with an effective emergency response system, to ensure citizens are not overtaken by extreme events due to climate change, particularly in areas concerning water safety and sanitation.
Responsibility – Ministry of Interior/NADMO /MLGRD/MWRWH
Decision Point 9
Civil Society Organisations should include education on climate change in their activities to improve the knowledge and to change attitudes and practices that go to exacerbate the effects of climate change. Mitigation and adaptation measures pertaining to climate change should be disseminated, in addition to applying indigenous ways of dealing with climate change.
Responsibility – CONIWAS
Decision Point 10
There is the need to document approaches used in water and sanitation interventions by various actors at all levels to ensure that best practices can be shared and utilised in project interventions.
Responsibility – CONIWAS/RCN/Knowledge Institutions
Decision Point 11
To achieve sustainability of systems, government should ensure that project designs make adequate funding for post construction support and management. Funding should also be put in place for project learning, capacity building and refresher training for WSDBs and WATSANs.
Responsibility – MoFEP/MWRWH/CWSA/DAs
Decision Point 12
Civil Society Organisations should work with their partners to ensure that project proposals are done in line with national systems to fit in the National Programmes as a priority before other considerations are made.
Responsibility – CONIWAS
Conclusion
The conference acknowledged the effects of climate change on the WASH Sector and pledged to ensure that the appropriate adaptation and mitigation measures will be employed by Civil Society. The conference also acknowledged the tremendous improvement in the relationship between Government and Civil Society over the years. However, all stakeholders should continue to partner with each other with the aim of providing sustainable and affordable services for the Ghanaian populace.
Accra – Greater Accra Region, July 23, 2010