Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, the President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, emphasized the inadequacy of legislation alone in addressing Ghana’s complex national issues. During the opening ceremony of the MOLEXXXV WASH Conference in Ho, he urged the active involvement of traditional leaders and grassroots stakeholders. He argued that for effective solutions to national problems, especially the rampant illegal mining (known as galamsey) threatening environmental sustainability, there must be a concerted effort from local authorities and traditional rulers. This collaboration is vital for protecting Ghana’s natural resources, which are currently at a critical juncture.
Hodo IV stressed the crucial role of lawmakers in engaging with traditional rulers and community-based activists to address illegal mining that ravages water bodies and forest reserves. He highlighted the detrimental effects of neglecting environmental protection, which ultimately impacts public health and livelihood across the nation. The geriatric state of Ghana’s natural resources invokes an urgent collective response from all segments of society to advocate for sustainable practices in resource exploitation. In recognizing the pivotal role of traditional leadership, Hodo IV underscored the necessity of their involvement in crafting solutions for environmental degradation.
The opening address from the Chairperson of the Coalition of NGOs in the WASH Sector (CONIWAS), Ms. Beata Awinpoka Akanyani, highlighted the historical significance of the conference, marking its 35th iteration as a significant milestone. She encouraged participants to take this opportunity to reflect on past efforts in the Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector, assessing accomplishments and obstacles encountered on the road towards meeting the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 6 targets by 2030. The transformation of the MOLE Conference from an NGO-centric forum to a leading multistakeholder platform symbolizes the collective commitment to water and sanitation improvements across Ghana.
Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Ms. Lydia Seyram Alhassan, further reinforced the significance of the MOLE Conference as a platform for addressing Ghana’s pressing WASH issues. She called for a period of reflection and reassessment of strategies as the nation grapples with achieving SDG 6 goals. Alhassan highlighted the importance of collaboration and the need to introduce corrective measures to expedite implementations of previous commitments made in the WASH sector, stressing the necessity for continuous evaluation of their collective efforts.
Togbe Hodo IV chaired the opening ceremony, which was attended by various high-profile figures, including the Volta Regional Minister, development partners, WASH experts, and representatives from civil society organizations. The MOLE35 Conference, organized by CONIWAS with support from the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, UNICEF, and the GAMA Sanitation and Water Project, aims to address key themes related to institutional alignments, policies, and strategies for achieving sustainable development goals in the WASH sector. Participants are expected to engage in discussions focusing on progress made, challenges faced, and pathways forward that can facilitate a more effective response to Ghana’s water and sanitation issues.
The conference serves not only as a retrospective look at achievements but also as an impetus for renewing commitments within the WASH sector. Engaging various stakeholders, including NGOs, governmental bodies, and community representatives, invites diverse perspectives essential for holistic problem-solving. As the conference unfolds over five days, it offers a critical opportunity for collaboration amongst institutions such as IRC Ghana, World Vision Ghana, and the Ghana WASH Journalists Network. The outcomes of this dialogue are expected to yield concrete recommendations aimed at combating the challenges posed by inadequate water and sanitation services, which are interlinked with broader environmental concerns.
