Unveiling the revised National Water Policy 2024
IRC Ghana joins the sector minister and partners to unveil the revised national water policy.
Published on: 20/08/2024
The Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Hon. Lydia Seyram Alhassan, together with sector partners, unveiled the revised water policy 2024 in Accra, calling for effective partnership, collaboration, and cross-sectoral efforts to achieve the policy’s vision.
In a keynote address to launch the policy document, the Minister lauded the support provided by partners, including IRC Ghana, and emphasized that the efficient implementation of the policy will require effective partnership and a multi-dimensional approach. She said, “It is expected that all stakeholders at all levels would be guided by the principles and provisions in the revised policy and provide the needed support for its effective implementation to ensure the attainment of the government’s agenda of water for all. I am of the firm belief that with the right structures and commitment, Ghana will be able to attain universal access to at least basic water services before the end of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Agenda.”
The Minister noted that the revised policy reflects the principle of leaving no one behind, as inspired by the Coordinated Programme of Economic and Social Development Policies (2021-2025), the SDGs (2015-2030), and the Africa Agenda 2063. According to her, the revised policy aligns with the international cooperation agreements on various resources, including water resources, that have been ratified by Ghana. The policy also recognizes access to water as a basic human right and a resource critical to achieving equitable socio-economic development.
Hon. Alhassan indicated that the implementation of the policy will require holistic water reforms to achieve the desired objectives. She hinted that the Ministry has initiated discussions on the reforms, which will center around institutional arrangements, roles, and responsibilities.
In a solidarity message, IRC Ghana Country Director, Vida Duti, said, “As system leaders and stakeholders in the WASH sector, we are immensely proud to be unveiling the revised National Water Policy document. For IRC, this has been a long-awaited milestone, and we are honored to have been part of this comprehensive process.
“As we roll out this policy document together with the Ghana WASH Sector Development Programme (2021-2030), it is imperative to advance our efforts in fulfilling other key commitments, including the signing the Presidential WASH Compact. We wish to reaffirm IRC’s commitment to supporting government’s agenda for systems strengthening, ensuring access to safe and sustainable WASH services for all, and leaving no one behind.”
Other partners, including the coalition of NGOs in water and sanitation, development partners, and the private sector, took turns to deliver their solidarity messages, expressing support and commitment to the roll-out of the policy. Indeed, the launch of the revised policy is expected to galvanize collective efforts towards achieving significant milestones in the provision of safe and sustainable WASH services for all.
