BEWDA Seeks More Investment in Rural Water and Sanitation Services

By – Gladys Apuweni

The Executive Director of the Bawku East Women Development Association (BEWDA), Peter Asaal, has called for increased investment in water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) services to address growing challenges facing rural communities amid the impact of climate change

He said adequate financing and stronger collaboration among government, development partners and other stakeholders were critical to ensuring that vulnerable communities had access to safe drinking water, improved sanitation facilities and essential hygiene services

Mr Asaal made the call in an interview on the sidelines of the MOLE Conference, a national platform that brings together stakeholders in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector to discuss challenges, share experiences and explore strategies for improving service delivery

He said BEWDA had partnered with WaterAid since 2012 to improve access to safe water in rural communities and public institutions, promote improved sanitation facilities, and strengthen health and hygiene education in schools and communities

According to him, the organisation is also implementing an advocacy focused project across five districts and ten communities in the Upper East Region to empower residents to engage local authorities and demand accountability in the delivery of WASH services

He explained that the initiative seeks to strengthen the voices of community members as rights holders by equipping them to identify their most pressing water and sanitation challenges and present them to duty bearers, particularly local government authorities, for appropriate action

Mr Asaal said the MOLE Conference offered an important opportunity for stakeholders to engage policymakers, government institutions and potential funding partners on the need to respond to the effects of climate change on WASH services, particularly in rural and underserved communities

He expressed hope that discussions at the conference would influence policies, strengthen local assemblies’ capacity to respond to community needs and attract additional funding to complement government efforts

BEWDA, which has operated for more than 35 years, is headquartered in Bawku and works across districts in the Upper East Region and other parts of northern Ghana. Initially established as a women’s rights organisation, it has expanded its development focus to include women, children, persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups

Mr Asaal called for stronger stakeholder collaboration and increased financing to address climate justice concerns affecting rural communities, urging participants to use the conference to develop practical solutions that would improve access to sustainable WASH services

Source – gbcuraonline.com