WaterAid advocates children involvement in water management

Dr Afia Zakiya of WaterAid, Ghana (WAG) has stressed the need for active involvement of children at the basic level in water campaigns to instill in them the culture of water management and environmental preservation.

She gave the advice at a durbar of school children and community leaders on Wednesday as a prelude to this year’s World Water Day celebration in Accra organised by WaterAid, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) and ProNet another NGO.

The durbar enabled the children to exhibit their talents and skills about the importance of water and sanitation to their survival and progress in school.

Dr Zakiya noted that, water and sanitation programmes by WaterAid had revealed that about 19,000 Ghanaians including 5,100 children under-five years die each year from diarrhoea.

She expressed the hope that the celebration would become an annual event and reflect in the everyday lives of the people, especially children in the communities.

She gave the assurance that WAG would continue to support governments and other duty bearers at all levels saying that, water and sanitation is crucial for human survival.

A Director at the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Naa Demedeme attributed the sanitation problems in the country to bad attitudes and negative environmental practices by residents.

Madam Suzan Abaidoo, a Director of the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing said, she was grateful to various bodies including ProNet and WAG for contributing to the provision of potable water and safe sanitation for the people.

She emphasised the need for school children to have access to safe toilet facilities and advised the beneficiary communities to embrace the sanitation concept and take advantage of the hygiene and sanitation programme to improve upon their personal hygiene.

Ms Bernice Aduo, Officer in Charge of Ablekuma Central Schools who chaired the function congratulated the organisers for bringing the water and sanitation programme to deprived schools in the area. **