By Anthony Adongo Apubeo
Bongo (U/E), Sept. 30, GNA – The Bongo District Assembly, in collaboration with WaterAid Ghana and other development partners, has signed a landmark Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Compact.
The Compact commits to achieve universal access to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene services within the next 10 years.
The initiative, described as the first of its kind at the district level in Ghana, localises the national WASH Compact signed at the presidential level and sets a roadmap for ensuring every household, institution, and public place in the district has access to clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene.
Addressing stakeholders at the compact signing ceremony in Bolgatanga, Mr Charles Nachinab, Programmes Manager for Universal WASH Access at WaterAid Ghana, said the compact was conceived in response to the district’s critical WASH challenges.
He revealed that while 74 per cent of residents had access to basic water services, only four per cent benefit from safely managed sanitation.
He added that open defecation remained at a staggering 84 per cent, while just 5.3 per cent of the population in the district practiced regular handwashing with soap under running water.
“This presents a herculean challenge, which requires deliberate, intentional, and sustained commitment,” he stressed.
He indicated that the Compact was developed through a participatory process involving stakeholders at the national, regional, and district levels, and was structured around five thematic areas, such as planning and coordination, financing, service delivery, monitoring, evaluation and accountability, and capacity enhancement.
He stated that, “Under these, the Assembly alone committed to 46 actions, including the development of a 10-year WASH Master Plan and the allocation of at least 20 per cent of both its District Assembly Common Fund and Internally Generated Funds to WASH interventions.
“Traditional authorities pledged 21 commitments, including making WASH a standing agenda item in all meetings, while citizens promised to pay for services and protect community WASH infrastructure.”
Mr Nachinab emphasised that development partners, led by WaterAid Ghana, were committed to providing technical and financial support, while the Regional Coordinating Council pledged to track progress through regular monitoring.
He commended the district for the bold step, describing it as a “landmark achievement that demonstrates local ownership and commitment to addressing WASH challenges.”
Mr Donatus Atanga Akamugri, the Upper East Regional Minister, commended the Bongo District for pioneering the first district-level WASH Compact in the country and that it showed strong leadership and commitment to addressing sanitation and water challenges at the local level.
He urged all stakeholders, including traditional authorities and development partners, to work collectively with the Assembly to translate the commitments into visible change, stressing that “the success of this compact depends on our collective action and shared responsibility.”
The Minister further assured that the Regional Coordinating Council would provide oversight and ensure effective monitoring of the commitments, noting that “this initiative will not only improve health outcomes but also contribute to the socio-economic development of the district and the entire region.”
Ms Ewurabena Yanyi-Akofur, Country Director of WaterAid Ghana, said as an organisation focused on water, sanitation, and hygiene, they were committed to honouring their commitment and charged the stakeholders to be committed as well.
The compact was signed by Mr Joseph Akaseke Abaa, the Bongo District Chief Executive, and witnessed by the District Coordinating Director.
It was also signed by the Regional Minister and witnessed by Regional Coordinating Director.
Other signatories included the Country Director of WaterAid Ghana, Naba Salifu Baba Atamale Lemyaarum, the Bongo Paramount Chief, who signed on behalf of traditional authorities, witnessed by the Bongo Paramount Queen mother and endorsed by the Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS), representing development partners.
The compact now serves as the district’s guiding framework to mobilise resources, coordinate actions, and ensure accountability in delivering safe water, sanitation, and hygiene for all.
GNA
Edited by Caesar Abagali/Benjamin Mensah