CONIWAS calls for gov’t support

STORY: EMELIA N. A. ARYEE & BERNICE AKOSUA AHOTOR
Coalition of Non-Governmental Organizations in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS) has called on the ruling National Democratic Congress (NDC) government to renew its commitment to improve water and sanitation in Ghana.
CONIWAS made the call during an interaction with journalists in Accra following the launch of a compact document outlining government’s renewed commitment to sanitation and water by the Vice President, John Dramani Mahama.
The Chairperson for CONIWAS, Mrs. Victoria Darko, in an address noted that though government makes allocations of $150m annually towards hygienic treatment and disposal of wastes and to manage water, more needed to done to improve the sector.
Mrs. Darko further appealed to government to strengthen and enhance the capacities of the Environmental Health and Sanitation Directorate and Water Directorate with increased budget allocations contained in the 2011 budget statement.
“We further commend government for such a bold and prudent decision to prioritize sanitation and water. We are particularly impressed with the leadership role of the Ministry of Local Government, Water Resource, Works and Housing and Finance exhibited in getting this Water and Sanitation and Health (WASH) compact finalized”, indicated the CONIWAS chairperson.
She maintained that her outfit is committed to monitoring the implementation of the WASH compact, its renewed commitments and to offer suggestions when necessary to ensure successful implementation including pointing out shortfalls.
She also explained that more people die of water and sanitation related diseases as compared to HIV/AIDS, hence the need for government to allocate funds from national budgets to improve the sector.
Mrs. Darko however called on state agencies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and private consultants who would be part of the implementation of the compact to ensure integrity and accountability in their activities to achieve goals under the project.