Ghana signs historic Presidential Compact on Water, Sanitation and Hygiene to accelerate universal access to WASH services

The Compact, with a commitment of $1.7billion in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) annually until 2030, Ghana has raised WASH to the highest political level to make WASH services accessible to all. It demonstrates the government's commitment to expedite access to WASH services across the country, and forms part of the government's commitment to improving public health and increasing climate resilience.

The President of the Republic of Ghana, H. E. Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, signed this historic Compact at a ceremony held at the Jubilee House on Wednesday, 28 August 2024, one year after it was announced as a commitment at the UN 2023 Water Conference. The United Nations Resident Coordinator, ad interim, Ms Ifeoma Esther Charles-Monwuba signed on behalf of the UN and development partners.

Speaking at the signing ceremony in Accra, President Akufo-Addo noted that "The journey on which we are embarking is built on the fundamental truth that without WASH services, sustainable development will remain an elusive dream. This Compact represents not the start, but the continuation and amplification of our efforts; a decisive step to ensure that every citizen, irrespective of their location or circumstance, enjoys sustainable access to these vital services." 

Ms. Charles-Monwuba said the UN is “committed to leveraging our collective expertise, resources, and partnerships to ensure the successful implementation of this Compact.” She emphasized the need for the establishment of a National Sanitation Fund to support the National Sanitation Authority, an outcome of the Compact, which will support the government's efforts to eliminate open defecation by 2030.

The Compact, the third of its kind in Africa, is the result of an extensive consultation process with government agencies, development partners, the academic community, and local civil society organizations. It is supported, under the Heads of State Initiatives, by the Government of the Netherlands, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, UNICEF, the Sanitation and Water for All partnership and IRC WASH. These partners will serve in an advisory capacity for the Compact's implementation, providing technical expertise and coordinated advocacy.

Furthermore, Ghana's national climate strategy will now include building climate-resilient water and sanitation infrastructure and services, ensuring that the country is ready to address the challenges posed by increasing droughts and floods.