Focus a bit more on delivering comprehensive district-wide sanitation services– Sanitation Minister tasked stakeholders
The sanitation minister Freda Prempeh has tasked WASH stakeholders to focus a bit more on delivering comprehensive district-wide sanitation services to meet the set targets. According to the Minister, meeting these set targets will require coordinated, cost-effective, and inclusive efforts by all. The recently launched Ghana WASH Sector Development Programme estimates a total funding requirement of US $1.9 billion to ensure WASH for all by 2030. “I wish to inform you that the process for the revision of the 2007 National Water Policy has been completed whilst the revision of Environmental Sanitation Policy has started in earnest”. She further announced launching the Hand Hygiene for All Strategy last week in Cape Coast as part of the activities to commemorate the 2023 Global Handwashing Day. The Minister added that plans are in place for the Ministry to kick-start the Water Safety campaigns nationwide. “Ghana has made remarkable progress in the delivery of safe drinking water and we are on track to achieving the SDG targets”. She said According to the 2021 Population and Housing Census, 87.7% of Ghanaians have access to basic safe drinking water. However, approximately 3.8 million people still lack access to safe drinking water. However, the sanitation minister, despite this enviable achievement, we needs to take water quality issues seriously to be able to derive maximum benefits from the use of water. For example, 5 in 10-point sources and 8 out of 10 households, according to the 2018 Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey are contaminated with E-coli. This calls for vigorous public education and sensitization on how to keep water safe from the point of fetch to the point of use. “The greatest enemy for the safe water delivery in Ghana is the galamsey menace”. She stressed The Minister addressed participants and stakeholders at the ongoing 2023 Mole XXXIV Conference. The theme for the 2023 WASH Conference is Building Inclusive and Resilient Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) System to Reach the Unserved” However, as part of efforts to support the media in the WASH sector, World Vision Ghana and GAMA Sanitation and Water Project supported some selected journalists from the Media Coalition against Open Defecation (M-CODe) to participate in the 2023 Mole XXXIV conference in Jirapa in the Upper West region.
Mole Conference: Sanitation and Hygiene key to human survival–Sankana Naa
The Paramount Chief of Sankana and a Member of the Upper West Regional House of Chiefs, Sankana Naa, Naa Pagran-Nege Saakoe Mornah III has described Sanitation, and Hygiene as key to human survival, and says all should be given the necessary importance they deserve. Sankana Naa applauded the government for playing its part in providing quality water, sanitation, and hygiene to all Ghanaians. However, he believes the government cannot do it alone. According to the Chief, Institutions like CONIWAS and all Ghanaians need to support the effort of government in making Ghana the cleanest country in Africa if not the world. “As traditional authorities and leaders of our various communities, we are always ready to collaborate with government and all sector workers in providing quality water sanitation and hygiene to our subjects”. This he said will go a long way to propel the needed development the Country desires because a healthy population will ensure a healthy development. He further urged colleague Paramount Chiefs to work for a common course to maintain the needed peace in their various traditional areas so as to propel development. He further described the conference as timely and beneficial as it seeks to create a common platform for stakeholders to review equity and inclusive approaches toward building resilient Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene services in the country. “The focus of discussion I am aware will include systems, approaches, and models of resilient WASH Service delivery”. The theme for the 2023 WASH Conference is, ‘Building Inclusive and Resilient Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) System to Reach the Unserved” However, as part of efforts to support the media in the WASH sector, World Vision Ghana and GAMA Sanitation and Water Project supported some selected journalists from the Media Coalition against Open Defecation (M-CODe) to participate in the 2023 Mole XXXIV conference in Jirapa in the Upper West region. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
MOLE Conference: Refrain from OD for Children to follow– Child Sanitation Diplomat, Adjoa Gyakoa advises
The reigning Child Sanitation Diplomat, Adjoa Gyakoa Appiah-Kubi, has cautioned that every adult should refrain from open defecation to set a good example for children to follow. Diplomat, Adjoa Gyakoa Appiah- Kubi, made the clarion call at the 2023 Mole XXXIV Conference in Jirapa on Monday. She expressed excitement for being selected to represent all the children in Ghana as a Sanitation Diplomat. She further extended her gratitude to all her predecessor Child Sanitation Diplomats ranging from Neriah Tettey, Mawadatu Naziru, and Maame Akua Ohenewaa Gyimah who she noted set the pace for her to follow by voicing out her concerns on sanitation and hygiene. She thanks her campaign partners, World Vision Ghana, Kings Hall Media, Zoomlion Foundation, the GAMA Sanitation and Water Project of the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, and the Ghana Education Service for their support and the opportunity they are giving to children. “I would also like to continue the tradition of all my predecessors to re-echo children’s call for every adult, every parent, and every person in authority to refrain from bad sanitation practices and provide their families and their institutions with the needed sanitation facilities”. Diplomat Adjoa further gave the assurance that her call would forever continue until she noticed that the change, she desired comes. “We children want to believe that every system we build should lead us into a clean and healthy environment.” She further thanked CONIWAS for responding positively and swiftly to a request made by her predecessor Child Sanitation Diplomat, Maame Akua Ohenewaa Gyima, that the organizers of the Mole Conference should establish a permanent session for children”. On Tuesday, the Sanitation Minister Madam Freda Prempeh, the Upper West Regional Minister, and other WASH stakeholders accompanied Adjoa Gyakoa Appiah-Kubi Ghana Memorial Junior High School where she was allowed to interact with children on sanitation and hygiene as part of the Mole Conference. The milestone is the first of its kind in the 34-year history of this conference. “I also wish that in addition to the Child Sanitation Diplomat initiative, there will be other Child-centered innovations to provide more opportunities for children to learn and contribute to creating the world that we want”. She said As a sanitation campaigner, Adjoa Gyakoa Appiah-Kubi promised to avail herself whenever possible, to support efforts to advocate for change and to sensitize the masses. However, as part of efforts to support the media in the WASH sector, World Vision Ghana and GAMA Sanitation and Water Project supported some selected journalists from the Media Coalition against Open Defecation (M-CODe) to participate in the 2023 Mole XXXIV conference in Jirapa in the Upper West region. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
GAMA-SWP connects Over 15000 households with water supplies–Engineer Engmann
Engineer. Gabriel Engmann, the Sanitary Engineer for the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area Sanitation and Water Project (GAMA-SWP) has revealed that so far, they have connected over 15,000 with water supplies. GAMA’s main objective of the project is to provide access to improved Sanitation in the form of household toilets, Institutional and Sanitation facilities, provision of water supply, building capacity and also improving the supply of Sanitation services under various areas they are working. According to Mr. Engmann, so far, with regards to household toilets, they have provided over 59, 000 household toilet facilities under the institutional Sanitation sub-component, and they are constructing about 598 for schools and health care facilities in Accra and Kumasi Metropolitan areas. “With regards to capacity building, we have done a lot of training in the various Assemblies that are benefitting from the project. “We have trained all the environmental health officers in those Assemblies”. “We have also revised the water policy and we are currently revising the environmental Sanitation Policy and we hope to get it done by the end of the project”. Engineer Engmann said, based on the experience they have had on the field with regards to the construction of household toilet facilities, they have prepared or developed a manual that could help artisans, or anyone interested in constructing biodigesters can easily refer to that manual and construct for people”. Outlining some measures taken, Engineer Engmann said, they have done some training at the courts so that people who are supposed to have toilet facilities at their homes but do not have are prosecuted and the judges prescribe some measures to assist the beneficiaries to go and own a toilet by a time frame and that has helped to build more toilet facilities. “We have also developed a prosecution manual because, in our business and our work activities, we have encountered a lot of people who probably are proving stubborn in getting or acquiring a toilet facility. Some of those people we liaised with the environmental health officers in the various Assemblies, and some have been prosecuted. He stated However, the main objective of the prosecution for offenders is not to jail them but to compel them to own toilets for themselves. Engineer Engmann made the revelation at the ongoing 2023 Mole WASH Conference organized by the Ghana Coalition of Non-Governmental Organizations in Water, and Sanitation (CONIWAS), at Jirapa in the Jirapa municipality of the Upper West region. Mole Conference is a yearly activity that brings together WASH stakeholders, from across the globe to exchange ideas on issues bothering sanitation and its related activities in the country. Meanwhile, as part of their efforts to support the media in the WASH sector, World Vision Ghana and GAMA Sanitation and Water Project sponsored some selected journalists from the Media Coalition against Open Defecation (M-CODe) to participate at the 2023 Mole Conference in Jirapa in the Upper West region. The theme for this year’s conference is: ‘Building Inclusive and Resilient Water, Sanitation and Hygiene System to Reach the Unserved.” Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
MOLE XXXIV Conference: CONIWAS Celebrates 20 years of active partnership to WASH
Ms. Awinpoka Akanyani, the Chairperson of the Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS), has expressed the significance of this year’s MOLE XXXIV WASH Conference for CONIWAS as they celebrate their 20 years of active partnership and contribution to the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector in Ghana. CONIWAS has been at the forefront of advocating for WASH issues both nationally and internationally. The 2023 Mole XXXIV WASH Conference has adopted the theme: “Building Inclusive and Resilient Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Systems to Reach the Unserved”. The conference has attracted a diverse range of participants, including Community-Based Organizations, Faith-Based Organizations, Civil Society Organizations, the Private sector, and Media practitioners. This conference presents a valuable opportunity for attendees to learn from successful initiatives implemented both within Ghana and abroad. It also serves as a platform to showcase the achievements. The upcoming conference, Mole XXXIV, aims to promote meaningful interactions with industry experts and foster collaboration among stakeholders in the WASH sector. It also seeks to establish a dedicated group of individuals and organizations committed to advancing sustainable WASH service delivery. Ms. Akanyani states that the Mole Conference series has consistently grown in importance and interest since its establishment in 1989, attracting participation from Civil Society, policy makers, local government, and development partners. The focus of Mole XXXIV will be to create a platform where policymakers, practitioners, and researchers can report on the state of Ghana’s WASH delivery. The CONIWAS Chairperson emphasizes that the conference will prioritize building an inclusive and resilient WASH system to reach the unserved, in line with Ghana’s accelerated efforts to achieve the 2030 SDG6 WASH target. She further assured that the 2030 conference will set agenda and commence a national dialogue aimed at holding Government and other duty bearers to account on their commitments to WASH, and to change the narrative regarding the approach to the delivery of sustainable WASH services in Ghana. However, members of the Media Coalition against Open Defecation (M-CODe) from other various regions who were supported by Greater Accra Metropolitan Area and Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area Sanitation and Water Project (GAMA SWP) and World Vision were present at thr 2023 Mole XXXIV conference in Jirapa of the Upper West Region. Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Dr. Anaba condemned Military brutality in Garu
The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Parliamentary Candidate for the Garu Constituency Dr. Thomas W. Anabah, has condemned the military brutality in experienced by the people of Garu Constituency. “I strongly condem this needless attack on these poor and innocent people during such an ungodly hour of the day, and call on the government to as a matter of urgency take steps to bring this errand soldiers to book” Read the full statement below *From: Office of the NDC’S Parliamentary Candidate, Garu Constituency* *For Immediate Press Release.* Date: 29th October, 2023 Subject: *CONDEMNATION OF MILITARY BRUTALITIES IN GARU* Today marks a sad occasion for our democracy in Garu. In the early hours of the morning, at about 2 a.m., the government, employing military force, invaded homes in Garu when many of the inhabitants were well asleep and inhumanely brutalized them without any justifiable reason(s). This unprofessional conduct of the military persisted from the aforementioned hour until around 11 a.m. resulting in a distressing toll of injuries and damages to both individuals and properties within Garu and its environs. I strongly condem this needless attack on these poor and innocent people during such an ungodly hour of the day, and call on the government to as a matter of urgency take steps to bring this errand soldiers to book. Furthermore, it is important to note that the health care facilities within the area are overwhelmed following the outpouring of victims to the centers for medical attention. We in this regard, beseech assistance from all in this trying circumstances to ensure the provision of adequate care to all these victims within our facilities. Undoubtedly, today stands as a regrettable chapter in our democratic journey as a country, wherein those entrusted with the mandate to protect and uphold the rule of law have regrettably faltered. I wish to assure the people of Garu and the victims in particular that I will do all within my powers to pursue justice on your behalf, in the face of this obvious transgression by elements within the Ghana armed forces. Thank you. Sign. Dr. Thomas W. Anabah Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Bolga Dialysis: Out of 15 MMDCEs, only 4 have fulfilled their pledges—Dr. Akatibo
All along, the media and other well-meaning residents of Upper East have been on the neck of Members of Parliament for their adamant following the ongoing contribution to the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital Dialysis Center. But little did we know that the District Chief Executives in the region are also to be blamed as the MPs. Information gathered by Apexnewsgh.com has it that, out of the 15 MMDCEs in the Upper East Region, only 4 Chief Executives have fulfilled their pledges. The remaining 11 Chief Executives for better words ‘careless’ about the dialysis project. This was revealed during Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen‘s exclusive interview with Dr. Emmanuel Nsobila Akatibo, a Physician Specialist with the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, and the brain behind the dialysis center in the region. Asking further questions to know the status of our MMDCE’s contribution towards the dialysis project, surprisingly Dr, Akatibo mentioned that only Bolgatanga Municipal MCE, Talensi DCE, Navrongo MCE, and Chaiana Paga DCE as the only MMDCEs who have to fulfill the pledge. But for the other districts, we are following them up but we haven’t gotten any fruitful results. We are trying to get these things done so that we can come during the launch of the center to give an account of all the donations and what we have spent so far. Dr. Akatibo told Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Bolga Dialysis: I personally called Dr. Nawaane on phone to inform him about Dialysis project–Dr. Akatibo
Days after the Member of Parliament for the Nabdam Constituency Mark Kurt Nawaane told Apexnewsgh that he hadn’t received any letter or official information about the Bolgatanga Hospital Dialysis project, Dr. Emmanuel Nsobila Akatibo has responded by saying he called the Nabdam MP on phone directly to inform him. Dr. Akatibo who was giving an update about the dialysis project during an exclusive interview with Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen of Apexnewsgh said: “I called him personally on the phone and told him about the Dialysis project”. He went further: “This happened before the launch and by that time, we had not settled on a specific date, but it was a proposal I wanted to submit to them. So, I wrote the proposal and channeled it through the Upper East Caucus through Agalga. It was delivered to him through my colleague who is from the Agalga’s constituency, and it was addressed as the Chairman of Upper East Caucus. According to Dr. Akatibo, he has some of the MPs whom he was able to reach directly. “Example is Bolga MP Isaac Adongo, I sent it to him through WhatsApp, the Bolga East MP Dr. Dominic Ayine, I sent it to him through WhatsApp, the Bongo MP Edward Bawa, I sent it to him through WhatsApp and the same person who forwarded to Agalga also forwarded the proposal to Clement Apak. The rest of them, I don’t have a personal relationship with them. So, I had to rely on other people to get to them”. He stated “But Dr. Nawaane in particular i called him on the phone, we spoke, and he said that is good”. However, Dr.Akatibo acknowledged that he was not able to send the proposal to him as he did to other MPs after several attempts: “I thought I could send the proposal to him on WhatsApp, but I realized his number isn’t on WhatsApp, and I tried to reach him on other occasion, but I wasn’t able to get him on phone then I decided to leave it like that. “So, he has an idea, but probably he didn’t get the proposal because I wasn’t able to send it to him because we didn’t know the mode to get it to him. Some of them we gave to them directly and the idea was to give them to the Chairman of the Upper East Caucus who can now probably mobilize them, and we were even planning that if he was able to mobilize them, we would go and present the idea to them” He explained Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Bolga Dialysis: Our intention is to open the center by December–Dr. Akatibo
Dr. Emmanuel Nsobila Akatibo, a Physician Specialist at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital, is leading a campaign to establish a dialysis center in the region. According to Dr. Akatibo, their goal is to open the center by the end of 2023. In an interview with Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen on October 26, 2023, Dr. Akatibo discussed the progress of the dialysis project. He mentioned that four individuals have undergone training in Koforidua, and one doctor is currently undergoing training in Korlu-bu. The doctor’s training will conclude in November, while the nurses will complete their one-month training program in November as well. “The Sankofa Foundation, an NGO, had originally planned to donate three machines to us. Negotiations began some time ago and the machines were delivered. However, complications arose regarding taxes on the machines. When the machines were eventually cleared, the Sankofa Foundation changed their stance and were no longer willing to donate them as previously proposed. This news came as a surprise to me as I had already informed the media that these machines would be provided to us free of charge. It was only later that my administrator informed me that we would actually have to pay for them. Unfortunately, by that time, the news had already spread”. According to Dr. Akatibo, upon follow-up, it was discovered that the Sankofa wasn’t allowed to clear the goods tax-free. However, they still had to pay for taxes and other expenses. Consequently, the hospital had to use the funds received for purchasing two machines, prior to the emergence of the Sankofa issue. Additionally, he revealed that the individual entrusted with ordering the machines threatened legal action since a commitment had already been made. Realizing that Sankofa would not provide the machines for free and considering the supplier’s threats, the decision was made to proceed with the purchase of the ordered machines. If there were any funds remaining, they could then be used to acquire the Sankofa machines. At present, we have three machines: two purchased with donated funds and one donated by the Asaase Foundation”. Dr. Akatibo stressed “The center has a few remaining minor tasks to complete before we can proceed with purchasing the necessary consumables for processing. The engineer who advocated for the Asaase Foundation to provide us with the machine will also be responsible for its installation”. “This is a highly technical process, as it involves setting up the equipment and training individuals to operate it effectively. I am personally waiting for the training sessions to be conducted so that I can participate, and I will also be attending training sessions in Korlu-bu”. He told Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com
Bolga Dialysis: Cardinal Namdini Mining Ltd pledge of 3 machines not fulfilled–Dr. Akatibo
Dr. Emmanuel Nsobila Akatibo has revealed that out of all the big mining companies operating in the Upper East Region, only Cardinal Namdini Mining Limited has pledged to support the ongoing dialysis project at the Bolgatanga Regional Hospital. According to Dr. Akatibo while speaking in an exclusive with Ngamegbulam Chidozie Stephen on October 26, 2023, he exposed that Cardinal Namdini Mining Limited after pledging them 3 machines through the Paramount Chief of the Talensi traditional area, they have not been able to fulfill their pledge. “We were hoping that one of the mining companies that pledged to give us up to 3 machines could redeem their pledge, to enable used it for the work and training, but we realized that their pledge wasn’t coming”. So, we conclude to use the money at hand to renovate the place with the hope that we can follow up and see rather than the money sitting down in the account. So, it was during the renovation process that the Asaase Foundation machine came through. He said, a certain institution name withheld for some reason donated a good amount to the project and that was part of the money used to order the 2 machines, as well as the training. Dr. Akatibo also expressed that, because the mining company made the pledge through the paramount chief of the Talensi traditional area, they found it difficult to approach the mining company directly to remind them about the pledge they made. “Because they made the pledge through Tongoraan, we can’t also be going to the mining people company directly”. Dr. Akatibo told Apexnewsgh. Giving a little hint about money realized during the launch Dr. Akatibo said: “The monies we received from individual donations it wasn’t enough, it was between GHC120 to 150,000, and it could only buy two machines. But the issue was that, the place we needed to put them was not in good shape”. He told Apexnewsgh Source: Apexnewsgh.com/Ghana For publication please kindly contact us on 0256336062 or Email apexnewsgh@gmail.com