MOLE XXXV WASH Conference Opens On the 7th of October 2024
The 35th edition of the MOLE Conference on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) opened on Monday, October 7, at the Volta Serene Hotel in Ho, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss strategies and challenges in achieving sustainable access to water and sanitation in Ghana.
Present at the opening ceremony were Lydia Eyram Alhassan, Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Archibald Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister, Harold Esseku, Senior Sanitation Specialist at the World Bank, Beata Awinpoka Akanyani, Chairperson of the Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS), and Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, Paramount Chief of the Anfoega Traditional Area and President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs who chaired the opening ceremony.
The event was held under the theme “Looking Back on the Implementation of SDG 6: Progress, Challenges, and Way Forward,” focusing on clean water and sanitation. Present at the opening ceremony were Hon. Lydia Eyram Alhassan, Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Hon. Archibald Letsa, the Volta Regional Minister, Harold Esseku, Senior Sanitation Specialist at the World Bank, and Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, Paramount Chief of the Anfoega Taditional Area and President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs who chaired the opening ceremony.
In her keynote address, the Minister for Sanitation, Hon. Lydia Seyram Alhassan, emphasized the importance of strategic planning to ensure that Ghana meets its water and sanitation targets. She highlighted several key documents that have been developed, including the Ghana Water Sector Development Program (2021-2030), the National Water Policy, and the Solid and Liquid Waste Management Policies. These frameworks, she noted, would serve as critical guides for the nation’s future in WASH services
“Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I am very happy to note that together, we have developed the appropriate strategic documents that will guide us into the future,” the minister stated. She stressed that Ghana’s success in managing water and sanitation services, particularly in the face of climate change, depends on how effectively these strategies are implemented.
She also referenced the Ghana Presidential Compact on WASH, signed by President Nana Akufo-Addo, which solidifies the nation’s commitment to achieving universal access to safe and sustainable water services. Madam Alhassan underscored that the MOLE Conference serves as an essential forum for stakeholders to review the progress of these strategies and address challenges. She recognized the sector’s existing difficulties, such as erratic rainfall patterns, floods, and droughts, which pose significant threats to the country’s water resources and infrastructure.
However, she expressed optimism that these challenges could be overcome through collective action and proper funding mechanisms. “It is imperative that we are guided by the commitments made in the Presidential Compact and other strategic documents. This gathering offers us a vital forum to bring water and sanitation services to the doorstep of every Ghanaian. We cannot afford to fail the next generation,” she urged, calling for strengthened public-private partnerships and the mobilization of both domestic and international private-sector funds to bridge the funding gaps in WASH services.
The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, in his welcoming address, highlighted the region’s progress in implementing SDG 6. He pointed out that initiatives like community water supply projects and sanitation campaigns have made a considerable impact in the region, with the collaboration of key stakeholders, including the Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS) and the Regional Environmental Health Office.
“Today, we are gathered here to reflect on the implementation of SDG 6, which is a crucial pillar supporting the broader SDG framework. The attainment of SDG 6 directly influences other goals, such as health, education, and economic opportunities. In the Volta Region, we have made significant strides in providing access to water and sanitation services,” Dr. Letsa noted. He further emphasized that achieving SDG 6 will lay the foundation for progress across multiple sectors, creating a ripple effect that enhances the quality of life for communities and individuals alike. Dr. Letsa praised the contributions of organizations working tirelessly in the region to improve water and sanitation access and called for continued support to achieve national WASH objectives.
CONIWAS Chairperson, Beata Awinpoka Akanyani, delivered an address, acknowledging the significance of this year’s conference. “On behalf of the Executive Committee of CONIWAS and its esteemed members, I warmly welcome you all to the 35th Mole Conference at the Volta Serene Hotel in Ho. This landmark event is a pivotal moment in our ongoing journey toward achieving sustainable WASH services for all. Mole at 35 reflects our long-standing dedication and a reaffirmation of our collective commitment to enhancing WASH services in Ghana and beyond.”
She reflected on the importance of the conference’s theme, “Looking Back on the Implementation of SDG 6: Progress, Challenges, and Way Forward,” stressing that it provides a unique opportunity to assess progress, confront challenges, and chart a path forward toward achieving SDG 6 by 2030. A significant achievement noted in her address was the recent signing of the Ghana Presidential Compact on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in August 2024. This compact was celebrated as a clear demonstration of the government’s dedication to achieving universal WASH services in partnership with civil society and development partners.
As the conference progresses, participants are expected to engage in discussions on critical issues such as climate change adaptation, gender inclusiveness, and innovative financing mechanisms for WASH (Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene) services. These conversations will provide valuable insights to guide the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources in its efforts to implement national strategies and meet global sustainability targets.
The MOLE Conference series, held annually, has become Ghana’s leading platform for engagement in the WASH sector, attracting participants from government institutions, development partners, private sector organizations, and civil society. The outcomes of the discussions over the next four days will be essential in shaping the future of WASH services in the country.
Source: Joynews
