CONIWAS champions innovation and accountability

By Samuel Asamoah

Civil society organizations have reaffirmed their resolve to sustain advocacy, innovation, and accountability in Ghana’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector, as the 36th edition of the Mole Conference Series opened on Sunday at the Marlin Beach Resort in Gomoa-Fetteh, Central Region.

Delivering the welcome address, Dr. Beata Awinpoka Akanyani, Chairperson of the Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS), challenged stakeholders to move beyond dialogue to tangible results that strengthen regulation, expand partnerships, and make innovation the backbone of WASH transformation.

Held under the theme “Advancing Innovation, Partnerships and Evidence for a Harmonized and Regulated WASH Sector in Ghana,” the week-long conference brings together policymakers, development partners, academia, traditional authorities, and private sector players to evaluate Ghana’s WASH performance and renew strategies toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation for All) by 2030.

Civil Society’s Leadership Role

Dr. Akanyani praised the government’s increased resource allocation to the WASH sector, including a 20% increment in the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) earmarked for sanitation and water. She noted that this demonstrates growing political commitment to the sector’s development.

However, she also raised concern over the gradual decline in donor funding, especially from long-standing partners like USAID, which has shifted focus to other global priorities.

“While donor support has reduced, the determination of Ghana’s WASH community has not,” Dr. Akanyani said. “We have learned to adapt, innovate, and mobilize internal resources to sustain the gains we’ve made.”

She emphasized that civil society must remain the conscience of the sector, ensuring that investments translate into equitable and sustainable services for every Ghanaian.

Innovation and Evidence as Drivers of Progress

Dr. Akanyani called for deeper integration of research and evidence in policy design, monitoring, and regulation. She cited recent studies from academic institutions that highlight new technologies in water purification, community-led sanitation models, and climate adaptation tools as game changers for the sector.

“This year’s Mole theme rightly focuses on innovation and evidence. We must allow science, data, and local ingenuity to shape how we design, finance, and regulate WASH services,” she said.

She urged the private sector and young innovators to explore opportunities in sanitation businesses such as waste recycling, toilet construction, composting, and digital service tracking, stressing that “sanitation is not just a social service — it’s an economic frontier waiting to be harnessed.”

Accountability and Collaboration

The CONIWAS Chairperson reminded participants that the Mole platform’s credibility lies in its culture of honest dialogue and mutual accountability.

“Our mission has always been to bridge government, communities, and partners through truth, transparency, and technical evidence,” she noted. “We cannot achieve SDG 6 without trust and collaboration.”

Dr. Akanyani expressed optimism that Mole XXXVI would produce practical resolutions that influence national policy, improve sector coordination, and strengthen local systems for delivery.

Looking Ahead

Dr. Akanyani reaffirmed CONIWAS’s commitment to working with ministries, agencies, and development partners to promote a harmonized WASH sector driven by innovation, gender equity, and community ownership.

“As we approach the 2030 SDG deadline, our message is clear — we cannot afford to slow down,” she concluded. “We must innovate boldly, regulate fairly, and partner sincerely to ensure that every Ghanaian has access to safe water and dignified sanitation.”

About CONIWAS and the Mole Conference:

The Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS) is the national umbrella body of over 90 organizations working to influence policy and promote equitable access to WASH services in Ghana. Through the Mole Conference Series, established in 1989, CONIWAS provides an annual platform for policy dialogue, learning, and joint action among government, civil society, and development stakeholders.