IRC-Ghana and Partners Empower Tano North Municipal Officials to Sustain New WASH Infrastructure

By E. Adu Gyamfi Odopa 

(Odopa2@gmail.com)

As part of efforts to bridge the gap in water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) services, a two-day intensive training session on WASH Systems Academy has been organized for stakeholders in the Tano North Municipality of the Ahafo Region. 

The training, hosted by IRC-Ghana, funded by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, focused on equipping local government professionals with the tools needed to plan, monitor, and maintain sustainable services.

The initiative is a core component of the WASH Systems Strengthening Project, aims to empower local government and service providers to move beyond mere infrastructure construction toward long-term service delivery.

The Global and Local WASH Crisis

The urgency of this training is underscored by staggering global and national statistics. Globally, as of 2024, nearly 2 billion people still lack access to basic hygiene services, and over 350 million continue to practice open defecation. 

In sub-Saharan Africa, the burden is particularly heavy; research indicates that poor WASH practices contribute to over 1 million diarrhea-associated deaths annually on the continent.  

In Ghana, despite significant strides, the disparity between urban and rural access remains a critical challenge. While national water access is high, only about 25% of the population has access to improved, unshared sanitation. 

In rural communities, the sustainability of water schemes is a major hurdle, with studies showing that up to 70% of rural water systems across the region often face operational challenges due to poor management and lack of technical oversight.  

Empowering Local Governance

The session saw a diverse turnout of officials, including representatives from the Municipal Health Directorate, Internal Audit, Social Welfare and Community Development, the Works Department, Ghana Education Service, Environmental Health and the Planning Unit among others.

Jeremiah Atengdem, a Water Expert with IRC-Ghana, noted that the project is strategically targeting two schools, a CHPS compound, and a vulnerable community. 

According to Mr. Atengdem, the physical infrastructure is nearing completion and is projected to benefit more than 4,000 residents. He emphasized that without effective management, even the best infrastructure can fail, leading to a resurgence of preventable diseases.