Fatima Anafu Astanga, GNA
Bolgatanga, (UE) May 18, GNA - Mr Mohammed Abdul Nashiru, Country Director, for Water Aid, Ghana has called on government to increase financial budgetary support for Water, Hygiene and Sanitation activities to enable sectors to discharge their roles efficiently.
He stated that budgetary allocation of GH¢383,000,000.00 for the sector for 2018 by government was inadequate and indicated that out of the figure only 10 per cent had so far had been allocated within the year to the sector.
The country Director made the appeal in an interview with the Ghana News Agency in Bolgatanga, where his outfit launched a report on WASH interventions attended by NGOs, Districts Health Directorates and artisans for WASH.
He noted that not less than $300 million US dollars was needed annually for WASH interventions and more health facilities in some communities still lacked WASH facilities that culminated in new mothers on admission to search for water and access toilets distant from the health facilities.
Compared to the level of need he said, funding to the sector is inadequate and therefore a big gap between funding and access of WASH.
“If the limited resources allocated are also not released on time, institutions will not be able to function and therefore any person who has a right to access these services is also denied access”. The Country Director reiterated.
Meanwhile the Communications and Campaign Officer of Water Aid Ghana, Ms Yvonne Kafui Nyaku later indicated that Water Aid had been working in Ghana for the past 32 years and had reached out to about 2 million Ghanaians with water, sanitation and hygiene services.
She noted that Water Aid Ghana had comprehensive interventions through its partner NGOs and District assemblies to go beyond the provision of water and sanitation facilities to sensitising and empowering communities to own and control their own development concerns.
She indicated that her outfit ensured that social aspect of their interventions equipped communities with variety of skills including; managing WASH facilities, engaging and negotiating development plans with duty bearers, and empowering women to take up income generating ventures as well as training adolescent girls to manage their menses.
GNA
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