Lydia Seyram Alhassan, the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources and Member of Parliament (MP) for Ayawaso West Wuogon, has urged Ghanaians to set aside political differences and unite in the fight against illegal mining, popularly known as galamsey, which is ravaging the nation’s water bodies, forest reserves, and farmlands.
Speaking at the 35th annual Mole Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Conference in Ho, Volta Region, the Minister stressed the need for a national response devoid of political blame games.
“Enough of the political blame games. This is not the time to point fingers; it’s a moment to unite all stakeholders—from government, opposition, traditional authorities, civil society, and religious leaders. Each of us has a role to play in addressing this national crisis, which demands a solution free from politics,” she said passionately.
Madam Lydia Alhassan warned that future generations would judge the current population harshly if decisive actions are not taken to protect Ghana’s water bodies and forests from further degradation.
The Mole WASH Conference, which focuses on Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6, aims to assess Ghana’s progress, identify challenges, and develop strategies for achieving sustainable water and sanitation management.
The Sanitation Minister praised sector stakeholders for their contributions and highlighted the importance of national policies like the Ghana Water Sector Development Programme (2021-2030) and the National Water Policy in guiding efforts.
“Your expertise, dedication, and collaboration have been critical in advancing our national development goals. As we continue our journey toward achieving the SDGs, let this conference serve as a catalyst for action,” she added.
The Minister also emphasized the need for innovative financing methods, such as public-private partnerships, to address funding challenges in the WASH sector, particularly in the face of climate change.
She urged stakeholders to explore international private sector funding to bridge financial gaps.
Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, Paramount Chief of the Anfoega Traditional Area and President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, who chaired the event, echoed the Minister’s call for unity.
He urged stakeholders to ensure that traditional rulers and grassroots partners play active roles in environmental protection efforts.
“This conference comes at a critical time when we must reconsider our exploitation of natural resources, as it is threatening the health of our water bodies and the well-being of all citizens,” he said.
The annual Mole WASH Conference, organized by the Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS) and supported by key partners including WaterAid Ghana, UNICEF, World Vision, and the World Bank, serves as a platform for reviewing sector performance, shaping policies, and promoting sustainable WASH services across Ghana.
This year's conference, participants emphasized, must move beyond dialogue and toward actionable proposals to tackle environmental degradation, particularly the impacts of illegal mining on water resources.
Story by: Joshua Kwabena Smith
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