Members the Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS), are calling on government to partner private companies to improve sanitation in the country.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra on Wednesday, the Spokesperson for CONIWAS, Benjamin Lartey, said such a move will help rid the country of its insanitary conditions.
“We have noticed with concern that there is no clear national programme to promote solid waste separation, treatment and reuse. As part of the government’s resolve to partner with the private sector to develop some other sectors, we expect the government and the new ministry to extend similar drive to the waste management industry. The government can launch a campaign to that effect and provide the enabling environment for private investors in waste management so that their interest could be sustained.”
A recent survey by CONIWAS revealed that, more than 62% of households in Ghana drink water from sources that are contaminated with faecal matter, and only 15% of Ghanaian households use improved household toilets.
The group urged government to support low income communities to install toilet facilities by establishing a fund at the district level.
He also commended the Nana Akufo Addo government for creating the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources.
“However, at the political and administrative level, these two sub-sectors have been put under separate ministries, thereby weakening coordination at all levels and causing the sector to compete unduly with other sectors under those ministries. We believe therefore that, the creation of the Water and Sanitation Ministry is a very welcome political decision by the President. We believe that it will unify administrative and coordination systems”.
Benjamin Lartey assured that, CONIWAS will continue to work with government and other partners to find lasting solutions to the sanitation and water challenges facing the country.
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By: Melvin Clottey/Citifmonline.com/Ghana