Asutifi North District achieves open-defecation-free status, 90% district-wide water coverage

Asutifi North District in the Ahafo Region is now open-defecation-free. The district also boasts 90 percent water coverage. This marks a significant achievement in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) practices.

In 2018, water coverage was only 40 percent. With support from IRC and other partners, WASH services have expanded to schools, health facilities, and communities. By December 2024, almost every basic school and health facility will have access.

The Asutifi North Ahonidie Mpontuo (ANAM) WASH initiative has eliminated open defecation. The district aims for 100 percent water coverage by 2030.

These updates were shared at a project meeting in Kenyasi. The meeting focused on strengthening safe water policies in Ghana. It was organized by the Asutifi North District Assembly (ANDA) and IRC Ghana.

The project will run from January 2025 to December 2027. It is funded by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation. Key partners include local districts, the Ahafo Regional Coordinating Council, and the National Development Planning Commission.

Jerry Atengdem, a water expert with IRC, discussed project goals. He noted challenges like poor integration of operations in WASH plans. This limits clear frameworks between districts and service providers for sustainable delivery.

He also mentioned inadequate information systems for monitoring WASH performance reports. This hampers effective tracking of WASH master plan implementation.

"The project aims to align WASH master plans with Medium-Term Development Plans," Mr. Atengdem said. He emphasized addressing insufficient platforms for citizens to engage with duty bearers about quality services.

The project will help six districts in Ahafo implement their WASH plans effectively. The RCC will coordinate these efforts while the NDPC rolls out new planning guidelines across Ghana.

Samuel Badu Baiden, District Coordinating Director of Asutifi North, highlighted citizen engagement goals. The project will enable citizens to hold service providers accountable for quality services.

Key activities will support Independent Water User Groups in each district to engage authorities effectively. "We aim to develop mechanisms for engagement and generate data-driven messages on key WASH issues," Mr. Baiden added.

The meeting also addressed how to support districts applying new NDPC planning guidelines effectively. Strategies were discussed for citizens to demand accountability from service providers and authorities regarding service quality.

Additionally, action plans were highlighted for operations and maintenance roles within district assemblies and service providers managing WASH infrastructure sustainably.