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Speed up action to achieve universal access to WASH -CONIWAS to government
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The Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS) has called on the government of Ghana to double its steps for urgent action to achieve Universal access to WASH.
For them, the world had about seven years to achieve SDG 6 and if the needed efforts were not doubled, Ghana might lose out on its target.
Ms Basilia Nanbigne, the Executive Secretary of CONIWAS made the call in Accra when the Coalition presented a paper to the Sector Ministry to input in their presentation at the 2023 UN Water Conference from 22-24 March 2023 in New York.
It is expected to see the adoption of the Water Action Agenda, representing voluntary commitments of nations and stakeholders to accomplish the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and their targets connected to water.
Ms Nanbigne said bold commitments were required to ensure the well-being and prosperity of both people and the planet, to achieve the SDGs and to meet biodiversity and climate targets.
“Per SDG 6, every Ghanaian must have access to “safely managed sanitation” by 2030. This means providing everyone with a toilet that is linked to a system of safe waste disposal.”
She said the focus should be on “Safely Managed” while dealing with equity and inclusion to address inequalities guiding the water supply.
The Executive Director said in practical terms, it required the government to begin a programme to bring water supply closer to the premises, building on existing boreholes, and putting safely managed statistics at the front burner in the national discourse.
She said it also involves addressing the entire sanitation value chain beyond the provision of improved household toilets.
Ms Nanbigne also called for a deliberate effort to universalize institutional WASH (Health Facilities and Schools).
She stated that all investments for WASH in communities must include the mandatory provision of WASH to schools, in consultation with teachers, parents, and the Ghana Education Service.
In that regard, she said, to achieve this goal, a comprehensive assessment of gaps in WASH in schools and the health system should be conducted as a matter of urgency to complement data available for schools and health facilities through the Education Management Information System (EMIS) and the District Health Information Management System (DHIMS) respectively.
Other issues raised by CONIWAS cover the need for the sector ministry to engage more on climate change, gender equity and equality, and human rights to WASH as well as develop Ghana Presidential Compact for WASH, and approve the National Sanitation Authority immediately.
She also called for comprehensive sector reforms that addressed institutional, regulatory, human resource, governance, funding, and technological aspects of WASH.
The Chief Director of the Ministry of Sanitation, Water and Resources, (MSWR) Mr Noah Tumfo assured the Ministry of its commitment to put into consideration the paper.
BY BENEDICTA GYIMAAH FOLLEY
Lawyers for former NAFCO Chief Executive Officer, Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, say they will file an appeal despite a High Court directive for the Attorney General to amend two counts of defrauding by false pretences in the ongoing case.
The court on Wednesday ordered the AG to amend the two charges in the case involving the former NAFCO CEO and co-accused, Faiza Seidu Wuni.
Reacting to the ruling, counsel for Hanan Aludiba, Godfred Yeboah Dame, expressed dissatisfaction with the decision.
“Even though they’ve been ordered to amend some of the charges, we’ll still file an appeal. I think the decision was not so sound,” he said.
The case is part of ongoing prosecutions linked to alleged financial irregularities at the National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO).
The High Court’s directive means the prosecution will have to revise aspects of the charge sheet before the trial proceeds further.
Background
Counsel for former NAFCO CEO Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, led by Godfred Yeboah Dame, filed an application seeking to have the charges against their client dismissed.
They contend the charges are fundamentally flawed and violate his right to a fair trial.
The State, represented by Deputy Attorney General Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, opposed the application, maintaining that the charges are valid and that the accused ought to face trial.
Lawyers for Hanan’s wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, led by Augustine Obour, who would also benefit if the application succeeded, yielded their time to the lead counsel for the first accused.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
News
High Court rejects dismissal request in NAFCO Case, orders prosecution to amend 2 of 16 Charges Against former CEO
The High Court has declined a request by lead counsel for former National Food Buffer Stock Company (NAFCO) Chief Executive Officer, Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba, to dismiss charges against him, but has directed the Attorney General to amend two of the 16 counts filed against him.
Presiding Judge, Justice Francis Apangabonu Achibonga, a Justice of the Court of Appeal sitting with additional responsibility as a High Court judge, ruled today that while the prosecution must revise Counts 9 and 14, the trial will proceed on all charges.
This means the trial of the couple will continue on a combined 20 counts.
Hanan Abdul-Wahab Aludiba is facing 16 counts, while his wife, Faiza Seidu Wuni, is facing 4 counts. Both pleaded not guilty on May 18, 2026 and are currently on bail.
Godfred Yeboah Dame, former Attorney General and lead counsel for the first accused, had argued for the dismissal of the charges. Reacting after the ruling, he said the decision was not sound and indicated plans to file an appeal.
“Even though they’ve been ordered to amend some of the charges, we’ll still file an appeal. I think the decision was not so sound,” he stated.
Augustines Obuor is lead counsel for the second accused, Faiza Seidu Wuni, whiles the Republic was represented by Dr. Justice Srem-Sai, Deputy Attorney General.
The case relates to alleged financial irregularities at NAFCO and is being closely watched as part of government’s efforts to hold public officials accountable.
The court has directed the prosecution to effect the amendments to Counts 9 and 14 before the trial proceeds further.
By Edem Mensah-Tsotorme
