By Erica Apeatua Addo
Ho (V/R), Oct. 9, GNA- Several young people are participating in this year’s “MOLE XXXV WASH conference” ongoing in Ho in the Volta Region, on the theme: “Looking back on SDG six implementation in Ghana: progress, challenges, and ways forward”.
The conference organised by the Ghana Coalition of Non-Governmental Organizations in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS) is to enhance networking and build strategic partnerships.
The four main thematic areas to be covered during the conference are institutional alignments and policies, approaches, strategies, and methods towards the attainment of Sustainable Development Goals 6 (SDG 6) in Ghana.
Institutions and organizations participating in the five-day MOLE 35 conference are the GAMA/GKMA Sanitation and Water Project, IRC Ghana, World Vision Ghana, and the Media Coalition Against Open Defecation (M-CODe).
Speaking in an interview with the Ghana News Agency (GNA), Miss Beata Awinpoka Akanyani, Chairperson for (CONIWAS), was impressed with the turnout and said it meant the older generation was mentoring and handing over to the younger people.
“Our marking the 35th anniversary is a milestone, and so we need to reflect on the progress made so far, challenges and the way forward for the sector in Ghana.
We cannot be working and not reviewing ourselves, so it is more like let’s sit back and find out whether we are doing something well or not” stated the chairperson.
Miss Akanyani said the conference was so special to them because they have seen a lot of changes within the sector, such as institutional and policy changes, adding “This year too we are fortunate to have the President of the country signing the Presidential compact.”
She indicated that bringing the compact to the MOLE conference was to let people know about the Presidential compact and create a road map on key issues outlined in the compact that could be implemented.
“Everyone has something to contribute to this particular conference even if you are not addressing the entire body if your organization is not doing much, but you are working in the sector or you have an interest in the sector, engage with someone or an organization and learn something from there” She advised participants.
Miss Akanyani entreated participants to visit the WASH sector exhibition stand mounted by CONIWAS, GAMA Sanitation and Water Project, World Vision Ghana, Zoomlion Ghana Limited, WaterAid, Plan International Ghana, Bio-Digester Construction Center, Catholic Relief Services and Sewerage Systems Ghana Limited.
In a related development, the Chairperson led a team with the Child Sanitation Diplomat, Master Abdul Yazid Faraj Timtoni Wumbei, a pupil of Grace Holy Child Academy to interact with children in Ho.
The move was to sensitise pupils on the “School Sanitation Solutions Challenge”, so that if they call for applications children from these schools could apply.
GNA