AfWA continues the implementation of its Capacity Building Programme on inclusive sanitation in African cities.

On Thursday 24th June, Dr Mbaye MBEGUERE and Gilles DJAGOUN, both AfWA Senior Coordinators, respectively in charge of the sanitation and water programmes, and Eric Zoma, training coordinator from CEMEAU, Burkina Faso (as Regional Implementing Partner), were in Kumasi, Ghana, for the kick-off workshop of AfWA capacity building programme on citywide inclusive sanitation. Three cities in Ghana are involved in this programme, namely Kumasi, Accra and Takoradi. This initiative was highly praised by the highest authorities in charge of sanitation in the country, as well as by the leaders of the cities concerned.

The workshop started with the different speeches. First, Madam Faustina Boachie, on behalf of the Managing Director of Ghana Water Company Limited (GWLC) said that Ghana’s aspiration for access to safe potable water, sanitation and hygiene is universal, though Ghana, like most countries in Asia, Latin America and Africa are facing severe challenges. She underscored the importance of the Citywide Inclusive Sanitation project (SAO-CWIS): “This project will assist us in setting out the right path for investing in governance, sustainable funding models, capacity development and innovation”.

Following Madam Faustina, Mr. Kwadwo Akuamoah-Boateng, the Metropolitan Coordinating Director, on behalf of the Metropolitan Chief Executive (Mayor) of Kumasi acknowledged the burden of to the Kumasi Metropolis and the nation at large - from attitudinal change, to the provision of facilities and safe disposal of solid and liquid wastes. It’s the reason why he  said ‘’The KMA, and for that matter Kumasi is proud of AfWA for the concern shown in trying to help them address the sanitation crises in Ghana’s major cities”

Finally, on behalf of the Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Mr. Kweku Quansah, Senior Program Officer for Sanitation at the Ministry thanked AfWA for extending its support to three cities in Ghana. He stressed that the Ministry consider it a very crucial part of its agenda to achieve universal access to sanitation for its people by 2030, and assured government’s willingness and commitment to providing leadership to enable all stakeholders play their respective roles for the achievement of the collective objectives.

Before the official launch, four technical presentations on the State of Sanitation in Accra, Kumasi and Sekondi-Takoradi, on SAO-CWIS, on CEMEAU and on technical Assistance Hub for City Wide Sanitation in Africa, were delivered to participants.

The kick-off workshop finally allowed participants to better understand (1) the SAO-Project, including its objectives, modus operandi and their own roles and responsibilities, (2) the technical assistant hub, including its objectives, activities and how they can access its services, (3) the role of the Regional Implementing Partner, and regarding the municipalities, the value and benefits of joining AfWA as members.

It should be noted that AfWA Capacity building program on citywide inclusive sanitation is funded by USAID and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, and concerns 52 cities from the following 14 countries Cameroon, Chad, Côte d'Ivoire, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea-Conakry, Kenya, Malawi, Niger, Nigeria, DRC, Sierra Leone, Togo and Zambia.

The kick-off workshop in Ghana was followed on 29 June by the one of DRC.