Stakeholders in Ghana’s Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector have reaffirmed their commitment to deeper coordination and joint action during a stakeholder engagement meeting held today at the Airport View Hotel in Accra.

Organized under the Government of Ghana–UNICEF WASH Programme, the high-level meeting brought together key representatives from government Ministries, Departments and Agencies, development partners, civil society organisations, and local government institutions to strengthen collaboration for more inclusive and sustainable sanitation delivery.

The meeting, convened by the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), is the first of its kind following the recent transfer of the Environmental Health and Sanitation Directorate (EHSD) from the now-defunct Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources to the Ministry, through Executive Instrument (EI) 1 of 2025.

In a speech delivered on behalf of the Chief Director of the Ministry, Mr. Amin Abdul-Rahaman, stakeholders were urged to view the transition as a timely opportunity to improve sector alignment and bring WASH interventions closer to communities.

“This transition should rather allow us to better align sanitation programming within decentralised service delivery structures and the traditional governance systems. It would eventually help bring our interventions closer to the people, grounded in local realities and responsive to on-the-ground needs,” the statement noted.

Participants were reminded of the Ministry’s continued commitment to national strategies, such as the Rural Sanitation Model and Strategy, aimed at improving rural access to safely managed sanitation services.

The Chief Director, through his speech, acknowledged the long-standing partnership with UNICEF and the significant progress made under the GoG–UNICEF WASH Programme. Key gains were cited in the areas of behaviour change communication, market-based sanitation, technology development, regulatory improvements, and financing models.

However, the Ministry also noted persistent challenges, especially in ensuring the sustainability of household toilets in rural areas. It emphasized the urgent need to strengthen the supply side of rural sanitation—addressing bottlenecks such as limited access to affordable materials, skilled labour, and resilient technologies.

Another pressing concern raised was the increasing threat posed by climate change to WASH infrastructure and public health.

“Climate change is no longer a future concern; it is a present and escalating challenge. Toilets are being washed away, water sources are diminishing, and public health risks are intensifying,” the Ministry cautioned, calling for climate-proofed WASH systems and integrated adaptation strategies.

During the meeting, a draft WASH coordination framework was presented by the Ministry for stakeholder review. The framework outlines roles and responsibilities of thematic leads, focal persons, and collaborating institutions, and aims to strengthen coherence, accountability, and results delivery across the sector.

In closing, the Ministry challenged all stakeholders to move beyond silos and renew their commitment to a common goal.

“Achieving open defecation-free status and ensuring safely managed sanitation services for all Ghanaians will require more than technical solutions. It demands strong partnerships, shared accountability, and an unwavering commitment to equity and inclusion,” the Chief Director’s message stressed.

The meeting concluded with renewed pledges of support and collaboration from development partners, civil society, and local government institutions. Stakeholders commended the Ministry for creating a space for dialogue and pledged to continue working together toward a Ghana where every person lives in dignity through access to safe, sustainable, and climate-resilient WASH services.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann & Stephanie Edem Klutsey

 (Public Relations Unit-MLGCRA)

The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), in partnership with the World Bank, has completed a Mid-Term Review Mission of the Gulf of Guinea Northern Regions Social Cohesion (SOCO) Project an important milestone to assess implementation, address gaps, and chart the way forward.

Since its inception, the SOCO Project has made measurable progress. Over 6,600 subprojects, including water systems, markets, schools, and health facilities have been delivered across Ghana’s northern border regions, with over 42,000 jobs created. These investments are strengthening both infrastructure and community cohesion in fragile areas.

The review focused on key thematic areas: project performance, financial management, sustainability of completed works, coordination, monitoring and evaluation, and safeguards. The World Bank team commended the project’s physical achievements but expressed concern over a few issues. The Ministry assured the Bank of its ongoing engagement with the Ministry of Finance to resolve the funding gap.

Other areas highlighted include the need for better inter-ministerial collaboration to operationalize completed assets, improve M&E structures, and ensure proper documentation on land tenure to secure project sites. The World Bank encouraged continued attention to environmental and social safeguards, though no major red flags were reported.

Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim reiterated that the SOCO Project remains a national priority, emphasizing that the initiative belongs to the people of Ghana.

In his official closing remarks, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, commended the partnership and called for practical, coordinated efforts to protect the integrity of the project. He stressed the urgency of resolving the financing gap to avoid reputational risk and delay in delivering impact to beneficiary communities. He also urged all parties to move beyond talk and take action:

The Mid-Term Review concludes with both Government and the World Bank aligned in purpose to deliver on the promise of SOCO and secure sustainable development outcomes for the northern regions.

Source: Stephanie Edem Klutsey

 (Public Relations Unit-MLGCRA)

The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA) on Thursday, 3rd July 2025, received a working visit from the Parliamentary Select Committee on Local Government as part of the Committee’s oversight responsibilities under Order 243 of the Standing Orders of Parliament.

The engagement focused on strengthening collaboration between the Ministry and the Committee, reviewing key programmes, and identifying strategic areas for support to enhance decentralization, improve service delivery, and address emerging challenges in local governance, chieftaincy, and religious affairs.

In his remarks, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, underscored the importance of aligning policy direction with parliamentary oversight to promote efficiency and transparency. He announced plans by the Ministry to organise a sector-specific retreat for members of the Committee to provide a more in-depth understanding of the Ministry’s operations, structure, and institutional mandates.

The Minister emphasized that such engagements will not only improve parliamentary dialogue but also strengthen the effectiveness of both institutions in meeting the needs of citizens. He called for constructive collaboration and mutual accountability as key ingredients for sustained national development.

The Ranking Member of the Committee, Hon. Francis Asenso-Boakye, commended the Ministry for the initiative and described the visit as an opportunity to gain firsthand insight into the Ministry’s work. He stated that the Committee remains committed to offering support through informed legislation, resource advocacy, and strategic partnerships.

Members of the Committee expressed their collective commitment to working closely with the Ministry. They assured of their readiness to offer all forms of support and collaboration necessary to advance Ghana’s development agenda and promote effective governance.

In her contribution, Hon. Gizella Tetteh-Agbotui encouraged the Ministry to explore more inter-ministerial collaborations, especially in light of current governmental realignments. She stressed that cross-sectoral partnerships are crucial in delivering integrated and impactful national programmes.

The Ministry expressed appreciation for the visit and reiterated its commitment to continuous engagement with Parliament as part of its broader accountability and development agenda.

Source: Darling Maame Efua Cann & Chantal Aidoo

 (Public Relations Unit- MLGCRA)