On October 27, U.S. Ambassador to Ghana Virginia Palmer, joined Ghana’s Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Dr. Freda Prempeh, for the launch of the U.S. Global Water Strategy High Priority Country Plan for Ghana. The United States, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), plans to invest approximately $100 million in Ghana’s water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector over the next five years. This is in addition to $89 million that USAID has already invested since 2009. The Country Plan for Ghana has the target of mobilizing an additional $20 million from both the public and private sectors over the next five years.
Poor WASH services have a negative effect on health, education, and economic development, and there are significant regional disparities in Ghana. For example, according to the 2021 Population and Housing Census, access to clean water varies from 98% in the Greater Accra Region to 55% in the North East Region. Also, while the national average for open defecation in rural areas stands at a little over 30%, the five regions of northern Ghana have an open defecation rate of above 50%.
During the launch, Ambassador Palmer reaffirmed the U.S. support to Ghana’s WASH sector, saying; “The United States Government looks forward to continuing our partnership to ensure that everyone in Ghana has access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene to improve health and promote economic development. Together, we’ll ensure clean water and sanitation for all.”
Since 2020, Ghana has been one of 22 High Priority Countries designated by the U.S. Government for increased WASH investment. The Biden-Harris Administration recently elevated water as a national security and foreign policy priority when Vice President Harris launched the first-ever White House Action Plan on Global Water Security on June 1, 2022. USAID has been a key partner in the WASH sector in Ghana since 2009, making substantial contributions to improve public health.
Water insecurity endangers public health, undermines economic growth, deepens inequalities, and increases the likelihood of conflict. Strong water, sanitation, and hygiene services are critical to increasing resilience in the face of global shocks and stressors, including pandemics and climate change. By 2027, USAID aims to reach an additional 1 million people in Ghana with access to safe and sustainable drinking water and sanitation services.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of U.S. Embassy in Ghana.
Latest Stories
-
Majority requests recall of Parliament
15 mins -
Kanzlsperger and Professor Quartey support WAFA with medical Donation
16 mins -
Gideon Boako donates 10 industrial sewing machines to Yamfo Technical Institute
33 mins -
‘Golden Boy’ Abdul Karim Razak honored at WAFU-B general assembly
48 mins -
Buipewura Jinapor secures Vice Presidential position in National House of Chiefs with record votes
57 mins -
2024 election: I want results to come out like ‘milk and honey’ – Toobu
58 mins -
Ghana’s Henry Bukari hands over chairmanship of ECOWAS Brown Card Council of Bureaux
1 hour -
Residents of Dome-Kwabenya on edge ahead of December elections
2 hours -
Moffy drops new single ‘Wo’, blending culture and modernity
2 hours -
Don’t bring soldiers to polling stations – Martin Kpebu
2 hours -
Ogyeahohuo Yaw Gyebi II retained as President of National House of Chiefs
2 hours -
Embrace ICT to fit in digital world – Ho NYA boss to youth
3 hours -
We don’t want armed soldiers at polling stations – Tanko-Computer
3 hours -
Drama as police corner armed robbers inside locked forex bureau at Lapaz
3 hours -
NEIP CEO to Kwaku Manu: You can support any political party, but stop misbehaving in NPP colours
3 hours