According to ghana news agency:ccording to Ghana News Agency, the dialogue will take place at the Stevens Hotel under the theme, 'Building resilient water and sanitation systems in the Volta Region; the role of relevant stakeholders.' Mr. James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister, will be the Special Guest of Honour, expected to present the government's 'Water for All Initiative' strategy, which seeks to ensure universal access to clean water and adequate sanitation in the region.
The event will gather various stakeholders, including Members of Parliament, District Chief Executives, Civil Society Organizations (CSOs), traditional leaders, development partners, and private sector actors, to collaboratively develop practical solutions. Organizers emphasize that the forum will serve as a platform to exchange experiences, pinpoint specific challenges, and explore innovative strategies to enhance access to safe water and sanitation, aligning with Sustainable Development Goal Six (SDG 6).
A statement by Mr. Richard Kasu, Executive Director of CFF-Ghana, highlighted the ongoing challenges in the region, noting that despite some progress under the SDGs, many communities still lack essential facilities. Ghana Statistical Service (2021) reports that 35 percent of the rural population in the Volta Region does not have access to safe drinking water, and 58 percent still practice open defecation due to inadequate sanitation infrastructure.
The situation has led to recurrent outbreaks of cholera, diarrhoea, and other water-borne diseases, significantly impacting children under five. UNICEF Ghana (2022) identifies contaminated water sources, seasonal droughts, and poor waste management as significant public health threats. Mr. Kasu also pointed out the region's unique geographical challenges, such as coastal erosion, flooding, and scattered rural communities, necessitating tailored and coordinated solutions.
The dialogue will include keynote presentations, panel discussions, group work, and plenary sessions. Stakeholders will discuss various themes, including service sustainability, community management, financing mechanisms, behavioural change, and policy gaps. A key outcome is expected to be the drafting of a communiqu© with agreed recommendations and commitments, along with monitoring mechanisms for progress by all participating institutions.
Organizers hope the forum will build consensus and foster stronger partnerships across government, civil society, and the private sector to mobilize resources for sustainable solutions. The VRCC stressed that this dialogue is part of a larger regional effort to address fragmented coordination and insufficient funding that have hindered previous interventions. Ultimately, the initiative seeks to enhance accountability, raise public awareness, and spur collective action to improve the health, dignity, and livelihoods of residents across the Volta Region.
