The Media Coalition Against Open Defecation (M-CODe) recently expressed profound gratitude toward IRC Ghana, the GAMA/GKMA Sanitation and Water Project, World Vision Ghana, and CONIWAS for their generous sponsorship, which facilitated the participation of its members at the MOLE35 WASH Conference held in Ho, Volta Region, from October 6-11, 2024. This gathering is recognized as one of the leading conferences in the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector, where professionals and stakeholders converge to share innovative solutions and successful practices regarding WASH challenges in Ghana and other regions. The financial support allowed M-CODe members from various regions—Western, Ashanti, Central, Eastern, and Greater Accra—to fully engage with experts while also sharing their insights and providing an extensive media presence during the event. Mr. Francis Ameyibor, the M-CODe National Convenor, acknowledged the significant benefits of this opportunity, emphasizing the invaluable learning and networking that took place, which will enhance media coverage of the WASH sector in Ghana.
Mr. Ameyibor commended the sponsors for their commitment to creating positive changes in the WASH sector through collaborative efforts. The sponsorship not only helped M-CODe members to participate in the crucial conference but also signified the shared vision among these organizations of enhancing knowledge sharing and collaboration within the sector. He described the impact of this support as substantial, saying it positively affected the lives of both the coalition’s members and the wider WASH community. M-CODe is optimistic about continuing partnerships with these key organizations, revealing a commitment to driving meaningful change and further promoting the importance of WASH initiatives in Ghana.
Highlighting the significance of stronger collaboration among WASH stakeholders, Mr. Ameyibor stressed the urgency for Ghana to attain Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG6) by the year 2030. The coalition is determined to play a pivotal role in advocating for WASH improvements and ensuring the effective implementation of the Presidential Compact on WASH, which was signed in August. He encouraged stakeholders from various sectors to engage with M-CODe in a partnership focused on development, emphasizing the coalition’s established regional branches’ capacity to drive impactful initiatives within the WASH sphere.
M-CODe, as a coalition of media practitioners, is dedicated to utilizing its platforms for the promotion of sanitation and hygiene, especially in rural communities, to combat open defecation. Mr. Ameyibor articulated the coalition’s mission as a dual effort: raising awareness around the drastic implications of open defecation on public health and socio-economic development while fostering behavior change towards improved sanitation practices. By collaborating with government bodies, NGOs, and community members, M-CODe aims to amplify its messages and bolster the impact of its initiatives, demonstrating its commitment to advancing the objectives outlined in SDG6, which promotes access to clean water and sanitation for all.
The coalition also focuses on knowledge sharing as a means to tackle the challenges posed by open defecation. With the support of organizations like World Vision Ghana and Kings Hall Media, M-CODe has spearheaded various media campaigns, community engagements, and training programs for journalists. These efforts are aligned with the coalition’s overarching goal—establishing a Ghana where open defecation is eradicated, and everyone enjoys safe and dignified access to sanitation facilities. Mr. Ameyibor underscored the need for unified action among WASH stakeholders to achieve this vision, calling for stronger alliances and shared resources to maximize impact.
The MOLEXXXV Conference provided a platform to examine the progress and challenges associated with implementing SDG 6 in Ghana. Under the theme “Looking Back on SDG 6 Implementation in Ghana: Progress, Challenges, and Ways Forward,” participants engaged in discussions covering various thematic areas, including institutional alignments, policies, and innovative financing for effective WASH service delivery. The focus on technology innovations to improve WASH services further emphasized the importance of adaptive strategies in responding to existing challenges. The collaborative discussions at the conference reaffirm the shared commitment of M-CODe and its partners toward enhancing the WASH sector in Ghana, fostering knowledge exchange, and ultimately driving meaningful progress for health and development in the nation.
