The 35th edition of the MOLE Conference on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) opened on Tuesday, October 8 at the Volta Serene Hotel, Ho, bringing together key stakeholders to discuss strategies and challenges in achieving sustainable water and sanitation access in Ghana.

The event, held under the theme of advancing WASH services for all, runs for four days and aims to align national priorities with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6, which focuses on clean water and sanitation.

In her keynote address, the Minister for Sanitation, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, emphasized the importance of strategic planning to ensure that Ghana meets its water and sanitation targets.

She highlighted several key documents that have been developed, including the Ghana Water Sector Development Program (2021-2030), the National Water Policy, and the Solid and Liquid Waste Management Policies. These frameworks, she noted, would serve as critical guides for the nation's future in WASH services.

"Distinguished ladies and gentlemen, I am very happy to note that together, we have developed the appropriate strategy documents that will guide us into the future," the minister said.

She stressed that Ghana’s success in managing water and sanitation services, particularly in the face of climate change, depends on how effectively these strategies are implemented. She also referenced the Ghana Presidential Compact on WASH, signed by President Nana Akufo-Addo, which solidifies the nation’s commitment to achieving universal access to safe and sustainable water services.

Madam Alhassan underscored the role of the MOLE Conference serves as an essential forum for stakeholders to review the progress of these strategies and address challenges. She recognized the sector's existing difficulties, such as erratic rainfall patterns, floods, and droughts, which pose significant threats to the country's water resources and infrastructure.

However, she expressed optimism that these challenges could be overcome through collective action and proper funding mechanisms.

"It is imperative that we are guided by the commitments made in the Presidential Compact and other strategic documents. This gathering offers us a vital forum to bring water and sanitation services to the doorstep of every Ghanaian. We cannot afford to fail the next generation," she urged, calling for strengthened public-private partnerships and the mobilization of both domestic and international private-sector funds to bridge the funding gaps in WASH services.

The Volta Regional Minister, Dr. Archibald Yao Letsa, in his welcoming address, highlighted the region’s progress in implementing SDG 6.

He pointed out that initiatives like community water supply projects and sanitation campaigns have made a considerable impact in the region, with the collaboration of key stakeholders, including the Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS) and the Regional Environmental Health Office.

"Today, we are gathered here to reflect on the implementation of SDG 6, which is a crucial pillar supporting the broader SDG framework. The attainment of SDG 6 directly influences other goals, such as health, education, and economic opportunities. In the Volta Region, we have made significant strides in providing access to water and sanitation services," Dr. Letsa noted.

He further emphasized that achieving SDG 6 will lay the foundation for progress across multiple sectors, creating a ripple effect that enhances the quality of life for communities and individuals alike. Dr. Letsa praised the contributions of organizations working tirelessly in the region to improve water and sanitation access and called for continued support to achieve the national WASH objectives.

Representing the Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS), an organization that has been at the forefront of WASH advocacy in Ghana, a senior executive CONIWAS Chairperson, Beata Awinpoka Akanyani, delivered an address on behalf of the group, acknowledging the significance of this year’s conference.

"On behalf of the Executive Committee of CONIWAS and its esteemed members, it is with a deep sense of responsibility that I warmly welcome you all to the 35th Mole Conference at Volta Serene Hotel-Ho. She said this landmark event is a pivotal moment in our ongoing journey towards achieving sustainable WASH services for all. Mole at 35 is not only a reflection of our long-standing dedication but also a reaffirmation of our collective commitment to enhancing WASH services in Ghana and beyond."

She reflected on the importance of the conference’s theme, "Looking Back on the Implementation of SDG 6: Progress, Challenges, and Way Forward," stressing that it provides a unique opportunity to assess progress, confront challenges, and chart a path forward toward achieving SDG 6 by 2030.

A significant achievement noted in the address was the recent signing of the Ghana Presidential Compact on Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene in August 2024. This compact was celebrated as a clear demonstration of the government’s dedication, in partnership with civil society and development partners, to prioritizing WASH within the national development agenda.

"I would like to extend my deepest gratitude to all our partners, sponsors, CONIWAS members, and participants for your unwavering dedication to the WASH agenda. I am confident that, with your continued support, we will make even greater strides in the years ahead. Let us use this opportunity to reaffirm our commitment, revitalize our efforts, and work together to achieve SDG 6 for all Ghanaians," the speaker concluded, receiving a round of applause from the participants.

As the conference progresses, participants are expected to engage in discussions on a range of critical issues, including climate change adaptation, gender inclusiveness, and innovative financing mechanisms for WASH services. These conversations will provide insights to guide the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources in its efforts to implement national strategies and meet global sustainability targets.

The MOLE Conference series, organized annually, has grown into Ghana’s leading platform for WASH sector engagement, drawing participants from government institutions, development partners, private sector organizations, and civil society. The outcomes of the discussions over the next four days will be crucial in shaping the future of WASH services in the country.