Netherlands gives Ghana 150m Euros to improve water & sanitation

Ghana and The Netherlands are implementing a Water Sanitation and Hygiene Programme to address the deplorable water and sanitation conditions in the country.

The Dutch government funded programme is a 150 million Euros multi-annual project being implemented to improve sanitation and water situation. Some of the programme beneficiaries are Cape Coast, Elmina, Ga South and Ga West Municipalities.

Mr Julius Debrah, Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, made this known at the launch of two public private partnerships under the Ghana WASH programme in Accra to address poor sanitation in the Ga South Municipality.

He said the country is facing many sanitation and waste management challenges which requires concerted and pragmatic action from stakeholders.

Mr urged the media to supports efforts to reach out to Ghanaians with the required information that would help transform the attitudes, behaviours and practices towards sanitation delivery.

Ms Lilianne Ploumen, Dutch Minister of Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, said public funding is reducing over the years and in addressing public challenges, there is the need to adopt innovative and sustainable solutions.

She said the engagement of the private sector could ensure that risk and knowledge is shared with the public sector in fulfilling the projects mandate of improving living standards of the people.

She advocated a conducive environment for business and private sector development to solve youth unemployment, promote good health, keep the country and work towards achieving the Millennium Development Goals.

Ms Ploumen said the partnership for advancing sustainable sanitation led by Water and Sanitation for the urban poor aims to improve access to the financing needed through bringing the public and private sectors on board.

Working in partnership with Unilever Netherlands Holding BV, HFC Boafo Microfinance services and the Ga West Municipal Assembly, the projects would promote hand washing with soap and improve school sanitation.

Mr Jerry Thompson, Ga South Municipal Chief Executive, said under the Quick Impact Activities of Ghana Netherlands Wash Programme, it has provided funds for the construction of 12- seater flush toilet at Oblogo, the capping of the Saba landfill site and the supply of dustbins to some schools in the area.

He said there is lack of engineered dumping site for both liquid and solid waste and inadequate distribution of potable water to the population in the Municipality.