A Climate Resilient Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) initiative has been launched in the Bongo District to improve access to safe water, adequate sanitation, and proper hygiene practices in the Upper East Region.

The project, estimated at GH¢600,000.00, is designed to provide inclusive WASH solutions in three sub-basins across five climate-vulnerable districts in the region, with support from WaterAid Ghana, the Water Resources Commission (WRC), and basin stakeholders.

The beneficiary districts and municipality are Nabdam, Bongo, Kassena-Nankana West, Bawku West, and Kassena-Nankana Municipality. Local actors such as differently abled persons, women’s groups, entrepreneurs, Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs), and Water and Sanitation Management Teams (WSMTs) are to be supported with seed funds.

Speaking at the launch in Bolgatanga, the Upper East Regional Minister, Mr. Donatus Atanga Akamugri, described the initiative as innovative, pragmatic, and transformative, noting that its implementation would help improve sanitation. He said the project was a bold step in the country’s collective efforts toward sustainable development, environmental protection, and the well-being of the citizenry.

According to the Minister, the region was facing a “dreadful” situation regarding climate-related vulnerabilities and access to safe water and improved sanitation. He expressed optimism that the CRWFM initiative would complement traditional approaches to WASH in the region.

“Climate change continues to affect water availability, quality, and distribution. Seasonal droughts, erratic rainfall, and floods have become more frequent, putting increased pressure on our water infrastructure and sanitation systems, and I believe the issues will be reduced significantly with the implementation of this project,” Mr. Akamugri explained.

On the launch of the Bongo District WASH Compact project, he described the initiative as a concerted approach targeted at addressing the dire impacts associated with WASH in the district. He added that the signing of the WASH Compact signified an unwavering commitment between the District Assembly, community stakeholders, and development partners to ensure that WASH services were available, affordable, and resilient to climate change. He further tasked relevant stakeholders in the region to rise to the cause.

WaterAid Country Director, Ewurabena Yanyi-Akofur, said the geographic scope of Phase I of the CRWFM project targeted three sub-basins — the Kpasinpke sub-basin, the Sissili sub-basin, and the Gambaga sub-basin — across five Municipal and District Assemblies (MDAs) in the White Volta and Upper East basin.

She explained that “the CRWFM integrates resilience into WASH while advancing national and global goals, including the United Nations (UN) Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Six.”

Turning the spotlight on the District WASH Compact initiative, another flagship project launched in the district, Ms. Yanyi-Akofur disclosed that the initiative aimed to give true meaning to the Presidential WASH Compact, as Ghana signed up to the Heads of State Initiative (HoSI). “The district is showing an example for other districts to take inspiration from and promote, facilitating the attainment of the aspirations of the Presidential WASH Compact,” she stated.

Moreover, the Country Director indicated that with the signing of the WASH Compact initiative, the District Assembly had been tasked to develop a 10-year master plan on WASH, ensuring a minimum of 20 boreholes are constructed annually in communities within the district.

FROM FRANCIS DABRE DABANG