Gov’t Reaffirms Commitment To Hazardous and Regulated WASH Sector As MOLE XXXVI Conference Opens

By Samuel Asamoah,

The 36th edition of Ghana’s flagship Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) dialogue platform, the Mole Conference Series, officially has officially opened on Sunday, November 2, 2025, at the Marlin Beach Resort in Gomoa-Fetteh, Central Region, with renewed national commitment to building a harmonized, innovative, and evidence-driven WASH sector.

Held under the theme “Advancing Innovation, Partnerships and Evidence for a Harmonized and Regulated WASH Sector in Ghana,” this year’s Mole Conference brings together key stakeholders — including policymakers, traditional and religious leaders, civil society, academia, private sector players, and development partners — to evaluate Ghana’s progress and design sustainable pathways toward achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation for All) by 2030.

Government’s Renewed Commitment

Delivering the keynote address, Hon. Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, reaffirmed government’s unwavering resolve to ensure every Ghanaian enjoys safe, affordable, and sustainable water and sanitation services.

He cited data from the 2025 WHO/UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme, which indicates that 90% of Ghanaians now have basic access to safe water — up from 81% in 2015 — while access to basic sanitation has risen from 21% to 32% over the same period.

“These achievements mark progress, not perfection,” the Minister stated. “Persistent disparities remain in rural and peri-urban areas, and climate change continues to test our resilience. We must innovate, regulate, and reform.”

Hon. Adjei outlined six strategic pillars to anchor sector transformation — universal access, institutional reform, innovation, sustainable financing, climate resilience, and partnership grounded in evidence — urging the conference to deliver actionable outcomes that link policy to practice.

“The Mole 36 Conference should mark a new era of purpose, partnership, and progress,” he emphasized.

Empowering Local Governance for WASH

In his remarks as Special Guest, Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim, Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, called for a stronger regulatory framework and empowered local authorities to sustain WASH gains.

He commended successes achieved in open defecation-free (ODF) communities, school sanitation, and digital waste management initiatives across various cities.

“Change becomes sustainable when communities own it,” Hon. Ibrahim noted, citing positive examples from Kumasi, Tamale, and Sekondi-Takoradi.

He, however, warned of rising challenges linked to urbanization, climate impacts, and infrastructure gaps, stressing that “our water and sanitation systems must be climate-resilient and future-ready.”

The Minister also highlighted government’s plans to modernize environmental sanitation services, strengthen MMDAs, and incentivize private investment in the sanitation economy.

“Innovation will drive our next phase of progress,” he added. “We must nurture young entrepreneurs leading solutions in waste recycling, toilet construction, and water vending.”

Civil Society’s Call for Sustained Collaboration

Dr. Beata Awinpoka Akanyani, Chairperson of the Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS), in her welcome address, praised the government’s increased resource commitment, including a 20% rise in the District Assemblies Common Fund allocation for sanitation and water.

She acknowledged the challenges following reduced donor funding — particularly from USAID — but emphasized that the sector remains resilient, adaptive, and innovation-driven.

“This year’s theme captures our collective urgency as we approach the 2030 SDG 6 deadline,” Dr. Akanyani said. “The Mole platform continues to be our moral compass for accountability and learning.”

The Mole Legacy

Launched in 1989, the Mole Conference has evolved from a modest NGO dialogue into Ghana’s foremost WASH policy and learning hub. Coordinated by CONIWAS, the conference has influenced national frameworks, mobilized partnerships, and inspired sector-wide collaboration for decades.

The 2025 edition runs from November 2–7, featuring plenary sessions, exhibitions, field visits, and technical discussions on innovation, inclusive financing, climate adaptation, and digital governance in WASH.

By the close of the week, participants are expected to produce policy and action recommendations to enhance data-driven decision-making and accelerate Ghana’s progress toward universal WASH access.

A Call to Action

Both ministers called on all Ghanaians — from government officials to households — to take collective responsibility for a cleaner, healthier nation.

“A clean Ghana should not be a dream but a daily duty,” Hon. Ahmed Ibrahim stressed.

Echoing that message, Hon. Adjei concluded:

“The choices we make today will determine the health, dignity, and prosperity of generations to come. Let us leave this conference united by action, not just dialogue.”

About the Mole Conference:

The Mole Conference Series is Ghana’s premier multi-stakeholder platform for dialogue and learning in the WASH sector. Organized annually by CONIWAS, it brings together government, development partners, civil society, academia, and the private sector to drive strategies for improved access to water, sanitation, and hygiene services.