CONIWAS and WASH Development Partners Engage Minister on Critical Water and Sanitation Reforms

On July 14, 2025, The Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS) and Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Development Partners (DPs) today paid a courtesy call on the Minister for Works, Housing, and Water Resources, Hon. Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, to discuss pressing challenges and reforms needed in Ghana’s WASH sector.

The engagement highlighted key concerns, including the need for sustained political commitment, sector-wide reforms, improved governance, and stronger civil society engagement. The delegation presented actionable recommendations to enhance water and sanitation delivery across the country.

These included:

1. Sustained Political Commitment and Increased Financing
   Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Development Partners emphasized the need for sustained political commitment and equity-focused investments in water. This aligns with the SWA high-level commitment to WASH and calls for the Minister’s leadership in mobilizing political and financial resources to bridge the financing gap and elevate WASH as a national priority.
2. Comprehensive Sector Reforms
   The delegation urged the advancement of sector-wide reforms, including the establishment of a regulatory framework for water service delivery. This framework would clearly define the roles of government, NGOs, and private sector stakeholders, as well as delineate service areas. Additionally, they requested expedited actions to complete the Community Water and Sanitation Agency reforms and transition into a rural utility.
3. Strengthened Ministerial Coordination and WASH Governance
   The team advocated for enhanced coordination between the Ministry of Works, Housing, and Water Resources and other ministries, including Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, to harmonize water and sanitation interventions through the re-institutionalization of the Water and Sanitation Sector Working Group Meeting. They also called for alignment with other sectors such as energy, health, agriculture, education, environment, and gender through robust inter-ministerial coordination.
4. Institutionalized Civil Society Engagement
   CONIWAS requested the restoration of CSO representation on boards and sector platforms. They proposed a biannual CSO-Minister dialogue platform to facilitate updates, strategic partnerships, and inclusive governance.

Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) and Development Partners with the Minister for Works, Housing, and Water Resources, Hon. Kenneth Gilbert Adjei

In response, Honorable Kenneth Gilbert Adjei expressed his commitment to the WASH Presidential Compact, and also in addressing the challenges facing the water sector and outlined key actions to be pursued by the ministry, which include:

• Revitalization of the Water and Sanitation Sector Working Group: To be Co-chaired with the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs. This initiative he admits, is aimed to strengthen coordination for sanitation and water interventions. He added that his office has initiated work on this.
• Initiation of Water Sector Reforms: The ministry will develop and pass the Water Services Act to streamline sector operations. Additionally, a Legislative Instrument will also be enacted to regulate buffer zones along water bodies, minimizing water pollution.
• Political Prioritization for Water: The ministry will ensure water is treated as a critical national good and given that national political priority.
• Infrastructure Development: Efforts will continue to expand water access to underserved areas.
• Strengthened Partnerships: Collaboration with development partners and CSOs will be enhanced to mobilize financing for the sector.
• Periodic Engagement with CSOs: Regular meetings will be instituted to discuss strategic water delivery issues.

The Minister also called on CSOs and Development Partners to work closely with the ministry to:

• Forge impactful partnerships at scale.
• Leverage each other’s comparative advantages.
• Pool resources effectively.
• Align plans to unlock greater efficiency and equity, ensuring a resilient sector in the face of climate change and population growth.

The meeting concluded on a positive note, with both parties reaffirming their commitment to collaborative efforts in addressing Ghana’s WASH challenges. Hon. Adjei expressed optimism about the proposed reforms, while CONIWAS and WASH DPs pledged continued support to ensure sustainable progress in the sector.