An Australian-funded scheme is saving and transforming lives in Akuapem North District, Eastern Region, and in greater Accra, Shai Osu Doko District and Ablekuma sub-metro.
With funding from the Australian Government, WaterAid has provided more than 9000 people access to safe and sustainable water, appropriate sanitation and safer hygiene practices.
H.E. Ms Joanna Adamson, Australia’s High Commissioner to Ghana, was delighted to hear of the findings of the Report. ‘I am proud to support this scheme which has had such a positive impact on the lives of the people of Ghana.’
The Annual Report for the Australia Africa Community Engagement Scheme (AACES) shows how Australian Government support to NGOs is improving peoples’ lives and delivering more opportunities to the most vulnerable and poor, including people with disability.
The program has been transformational for people with disability by improving access to clean water.
For instance, the construction of accessible toilets and water facilities in schools has contributed to improved school attendance among children with disability. People with disability have also been empowered to actively participate in development activities and contribute to community life.
Improved access to sanitation has also transformed the lives of marginalised communities. For instance, WaterAid used their Endogenous Development (ED) and the community led total sanitation (CLTS) approaches to encourage the building of latrines and community ownership of facilities. The positive changes resulting from this initiative led to the National Sanitation Task Force declaring two communities, the Ajakope and Dunyokope in the Shai Osudoku district as ‘open defecation free.’1
Additionally, through policy engagement, WaterAid and other members of the Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation approached the Government of Ghana for additional funding for WASH. The Government of Ghana committed more than GSH200 million (AUD211,797,000) to the WASH sector in the 2013 budget— its highest allocation since 2009.
The AACES program is being implemented in Ghana by WaterAid Ghana.
From: WaterAid Ghana