The Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisation in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS) has reiterated its call for the two assemblies in the greater Tamale area to promote good sanitation. In view of this, the coalition has held a town hall meeting in Tamale that sought to key stakeholders in the WASH sector in the northern region deliberate on efforts that can taken to address the deteriorating sanitation situation in the city.

Beata Awinpoka Akanyani, Vice Chairperson of CONIWAS, noted that the town hall meeting was held to discuss issues concerning sanitation and hygiene priorities in Tamale and Sagnarigu areas. She said the theme for the meeting which is: Pursuing greater priorities and behavior change sustainable for development and drinking water and environmental sanitation, was apt for the occasion at time Tamale was facing unending sanitation crises.

She bemoaned the insanitary conditions that have engulfed the city of Tamale for sometime now and stressed the need for collaborated efforts to be put in place by stakeholders to address the menace. She stated even though Ghana has water coverage of about 78 percent, it was sad that about 20 percent of Ghanaians practice open defecation while 36 percent of Ghanaians have access to safe drinking water. Madam Beata Awinpoka Akanyani revealed that CONIWAS has been instrumental in shaping policies in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector in Ghana.

He said some of the achievements of CONIWAS in the WASH sector include; the establishment of Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), WASH budget funding increment, the establishment of the National Sanitation Authority, the establishment of the Ministry of Water and Sanitation among others.

The town hall meeting was part of activities to mark the WASH week celebration in northern zone. On Tuesday, CONIWAS embarked on clean Ghana walk through some principal streets of Tamale to drum home the need for Ghanaians to take a second look at how poor sanitation was becoming a threat to livelihoods of the people.

About CONIWAS
The Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS) is an umbrella Civil Society Organization (CSO) established to contribute to water resource management and sustainable provision of water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services in Ghana. It is a member-based organisation with over 100 members spread throughout the country supporting communities to have access to improved sustainable WASH services. It is dedicated to ensuring availability of potable water supply in the right quantity and right time, improved sanitation integrated with hygiene promotion to the citizens of the Country, especially the poor and marginalized people in society. It was formed in 2003 to provide space for WASH Sector NGOs to engage themselves as well as government and other sector organizations on issues affecting the sector. The Network provides a forum for CSO coordination and involvement in debates and information exchange to influence policy decisions and strategies affecting the WASH sector. It also initiates, develops and maintains collaborative mechanisms among CSOs working in Ghana and at international arena by enhancing communication on matters relating to WASH.

Story Ibrahim Anaangmeni Alhassan