The Netherlands Development Organisation, SVN, with funding from the Leona M & Harry B Helmsley Charitable Trust, has launched the second phase of the Healthy Future for All (HF4A) Project to improve access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) services for residents of two districts in the Upper West Region.

The project, which would run from 2025 to 2027, is being implemented in the Nandom and Lambussie districts and will build on the success of the project's first phase.

A total of 4,500 children under the age of 15 are expected to benefit from the improved sanitation services at home and in school under the project, and 10 health facilities equipped with basic WASH and waste management services.

The more than $3 million project would also take a holistic approach to WASH by integrating behavioural change communication, infrastructure development, governance strengthening and private sector engagement.

Focus

Speaking at the launch at Nandom, the  SVN Country Director for Ghana and Nigeria, Barbara White Nkoala said, while the first phase of the project focused on improving access to water, hygiene and sanitation in densely populated areas and facilities such as schools and health centres, the second phase would expand to more sparsely populated areas, building on previous efforts.

Stakeholders at the launch

Instead of large water systems, she said the focus would shift to drilling boreholes to ensure sustainable water access.

She said the SNV Ghana would collaborate with local leaders, communities and other stakeholders to develop effective management and maintenance systems to achieve this.

Outcome of Phase 1

Ms Nkoala said that under the phase of the HF4A project, 21 solar-powered mechanised water systems were constructed to provide safe water access to schools, health facilities and communities.

Thirteen schools were equipped with gender sensitive KVIP latrines, thus giving over 3,000 pupils access to safe and inclusive latrines.

“Six health facilities were upgraded with WASH infrastructure, improving sanitation, hygiene and maternal health outcomes in rural clinics,” she said.

The country director said the project also piloted a $120,000 revolving WASH loan fund with the Nandom Rural Bank.

“Women accessed loans to establish micro water enterprises, generating income and increasing households' access to clean water, "she said.

BCAC

The SVN is also implementing a GIZ-funded project to build the resilience of communities in climate change in districts in the Upper West Region.

The Building Climate Adaptation Capacities (BCAC) project is for 11 months.

The about €290,000, which started in January this year, will run till November 2025 under the European Union Resilience Against Climate Change (EU-REACH) and is being implemented in Nandom, Lambusie and Lawra.

In addition to improving access to water, she said the BCAC project's main objective was to strengthen the communities’ access to climate information and adaptation, promote climate-smart agriculture and soil conservation and enhance knowledge in fire and sustainable resource management.