The Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) says it is involved in facilitation and provision of only water related sanitation to households and institutions in rural communities and small towns, and therefore not responsible for determining sanitation and hygiene coverage.
Chief Executive, Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), ING. DR. Worlanyo Kwadjo Siabi (MV, FGhIE), made these remarks while addressing Journalists in Accra on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press conference in Accra, he said "CWSA involved in facilitation and provision of only water related sanitation to households and institutions in rural communities and small towns, and therefore not responsible for determining sanitation and hygiene coverage"
He disclosed that as at 2022, water infrastructure available to rural communities and small towns, which have been provided by state institutions (CWSA and MMDAs), NGOs and Religious bodies include; Boreholes fitted with handpumps - 31,388, Small Towns Pipe water systems - 616, Limited mechanized water systems - 1,308.
He noted that water coverage for rural communities and small towns based on access to potable water has been estimated as; Water coverage as estimated by Ghana Statistical Service is 74.4% (GSS: 2021, Population & Housing Census), Water coverage as estimated by CWSA is 62.63%, as at 2022.
This coverage, he revealed covers water services provided by only state institutions (CWSA & MMDAs), NGOs and Religious bodies, under CWSA supervision (Excludes private sector and self supplies).
He noted that CWSA WASH activities cover 17,441 out of 29,279 communities in the 16 regions.
"On the Sustainable Rural Water and Sanitation Project (SRWSP) financed through a US$ 41.5 Million IDA/World Bank loan. Sanitation was part of project interventions"
"The 11 regions which benefitted are Ahafo, Bono, Bono East, Central, Western, Western North, Upper West, Upper East, North East and Savanna"
"Sanitation intervention implemented are: 21,776 household toilets (digni-loo type), 568 institutional toilets in 224 basic schools, 947 Open Defecation Free communities, Hygiene promotion in the beneficiary communities"
He mentioned that in 2017, CWSA initiated policy reforms for the Rural and Small Towns Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Sub-sector to redefine its role and the other partners.
"The purpose of the Reforms is to sustain WASH provision. Water systems completed by CWSA with GoG funds were previously handed over to communities to manage. The involvement of communities was expected to create ownership and sustainability"
ING. DR. Worlanyo Kwadjo Siabi noted that research conducted by CWSA/IRC/World Bank in 2014 found that only 10% of water infrastructure provided basic services, while about 40% were broken down.
CWSA therefore agreed with its Sector Ministry and development partners to initiate reforms to restructure the WASH Sub-sector.
Touching on challenges, he cited frequent breakdown and long downtime (more than a month) of water systems, high non-revenue/unaccounted for water (about 50% in 2017), huge accumulated electricity bills on community managed water systems (Over GHS 40 Million).
"Water quality challenges. At least 30% of groundwater have high levels of iron, manganese, fluorides, arsenic and hardness)"
"Surface water sources have also deteriorated as a result of unapproved human activity in most river basins (i.e. mining)"
"Inadequate financing for post construction activities to guarantee regular follow-ups, repairs and maintenance. Changes in the financing landscape of Ghana, resulting in dwindling resources to the Sub-sector"
ING. DR. Worlanyo Kwadjo Siabi (MV, FGhIE), revealed that the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) was established by an Act of Parliament of the Republic of Ghana 1998, Act 564.
He stressed that the mandate of CWSA, per Act 564 is to facilitate the provision of safe water to rural communities and small towns and promote water related sanitation and hygiene practice.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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