Ghana pledges equal water, sanitation access for vulnerable groups

ACCRA, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Ghana's "Leave No One Behind" in providing equal access to safe Water and sanitation services came to the fore FriDAY with the celebration of the 2019 World Water DAY.

The government chose the School for the Blind in Akropong-Akwapim, 50 km north of the capital for this year's national commemoration of the World Water DAY.

In her message, Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Dapaah reiterated the need for concerted efforts to be achieved.

There are obvious indications that achieving the SDG target of leaving no one behind is a target that needs the concerted and coordinated efforts of all stakeholders, she said.

Government, the minister added, viewed the theme: "Leaving no one behind" as a strategic issue for which reason it had set its priorities towards ensuring the protection and provision of clean drinking Water and sanitation to enable the increasing population to have the Water they need to lead a healthy, happy and productive lives.

Also present were pupils and students from the Mampong School for the Deaf while the choir of the School for the Blind staged exciting musical performances to the amazement of the dignitaries and guests at the celebration.

"Government's attention is also on increasing investment in Water and sanitation services," the minister added.

Although Ghana's urban Water coverage is more than 80 percent and that of rural is more than 60 percent, the country still has wide gaps in equity of access.

Sylvia Lopez-Ekra, UN Resident Coordinator in Ghana pointed out that huge numbers of people were still living without safe Water, including marginalized groups such as refugees, indigenous peoples, disabled people.

"To leave no one behind Water services must meet the needs of marginalized groups and their voices must be heard in decision-making processes. Sufficient funding must also be fairly and effectively targeted at those who need it most," she urged.