By Patience Gbeze, GNA
Accra, Dec. 11, GNA – Panelists at the second National Learning Exchange on Strengthening Local Governance Government Systems to deliver safe and sustainable WASH services were optimistic that attaining the goals of the SDGs in the sector is achievable with investment, especially in the sanitation sector.
They said the water sector is improving and it is possible to attain 100 per cent coverage of safe drinking water delivery by 2030 in the target areas.
The workshop was organized by IRC, WaterAid, Water4 and the Hunger Project in collaboration with focal District Assemblies. The implementing District Assemblies present are Asutifi North, Bongo and Wassa East.
The workshop focusses on learning exchanges on district-wide initiatives on building and strengthening strong local systems to deliver safe sustainable water, sanitation and hygiene services for everyone.
Mrs Vida Duti, IRC Ghana Country Director, said it also sought to reflect on current country updates and advance understanding of the various district-wide initiatives; and how local governments and partners are fulfilling their roles and responsibilities in supporting the provision of WASH services in different contexts.
“The workshop will also help exchange experiences and lessons with like-minded district based initiatives; generate clear and strong recommendations for strengthening local systems for improved service delivery towards achieving the WASH Sustainable Development Goals,” she said.
“The three-fold sessions will highlight Ghana WASH SDG progress updates, showcase perspective and implementation status of the district-wide initiatives to feed into interactive panel discussion,” she said
Mr Wilson Arthur, Wassa District Chief Executive, said it has become clear that public service is no longer the preserve of government and called for partnership with the private sector, adding that “in this case the burden will be on government to build capacity and develop skills of public officer to be able to monitor the system”.
Mrs Akua Aniniwa Owusu Asamoah, Deputy Head, Fiscal Decentralisation Unit of the Ministry of Finance, said many district assemblies are doing things that are not reflected on the National Plan and urged them to feed the National Development Planning Commission with all that they do.
She said there is also the need for district assemblies to start budgeting for their Internally Generated Funds to support the projects and their sustainability even after the projects fold up.
Mr Peter Ayamga Ayimbisa, the Bong District Chief Executive, said the District has achieved 85 per cent coverage in water from the previous 45 per cent and expressed the hope that they would be able to achieve 100 per cent coverage by 2030.
“Even before 30230, we are on the verge to achieve the target in the area. Now we have available water and toilet facilities and almost every school in the district has water and toilet facilities,” he said, and commended WaterAid for the support that led to the success story.
He said as a result, more women are now delivering at the health centre due to availability of water.
Mr Ayimbisi said the only challenge facing the district was that there are lots of fluoride in the groundwater and urged partners to come together to assist them solve the problem.
Mr Peter Ata-era, Asutifi District Planning Officer, said they have so far trained 11 communities to construct their own toilet facilities. Out of the number, five communities made up of 108 households constructed their own toilet facilities.
He said there is the need to look for the opportunities in the sector and work together to achieve the goals.
GNA
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