World Vision Ghana leads national sanitation dialogue as government makes sanitation a key performance measure for local government leaders

Vivian Adu

Wednesday, July 1, 2026

By Vivian Adu, Communications Officer

The National Director of World Vision Ghana, Dr Tinah Mukunda, has called for urgent and sustained action to prioritise sanitation and strengthen accountability systems in Ghana, describing water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) as fundamental to child wellbeing and national development.

Speaking at the Fifth Multi‑Stakeholder Executive Breakfast Conversation on Sanitation held in Accra, Dr Mukunda emphasised the need for collaborative, cross‑sector efforts to address persistent challenges in service delivery.

“WASH is the foundation for improved health, quality education, poverty reduction and the socio‑economic wellbeing of children and their families,” she stated, stressing that access to safe water and sanitation remains central to ensuring that every child can grow up healthy, safe and able to reach their full potential.

The event, organised by World Vision Ghana in collaboration with the Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, the Ministry of Labour, Jobs and Employment, and other sector agencies, brought together policymakers, development partners, and key stakeholders to discuss progress and challenges in Ghana’s sanitation sector.

Held on the theme “Sanitation as a Key Performance Indicator for MMDCEs and the Role of Relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies: Prospects, Opportunities and Constraints,” the forum also marked the official launch of the Seventh School Sanitation Solutions Challenge.

Dr Mukunda noted that since its inception in 2022, the Executive Breakfast Conversation has evolved into a critical platform for shaping policy and driving actionable recommendations. She highlighted that insights from previous engagements have already influenced programming and contributed to progress in the WASH sector.

However, she noted that important challenges remain, including ongoing institutional and regulatory constraints that continue to affect progress in sanitation outcomes. She pointed out that limited access to adequate sanitation services and effective waste management systems continues to affect public health and the wellbeing of children, families and communities.

“This is not a time for complacency but for decisive action,” she urged, calling on stakeholders to prioritise investment in sanitation and strengthen systems that deliver sustainable services.

In her address, the Deputy Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Rita Naa Odoley Sowah, announced that government has reaffirmed its decision to make sanitation a key performance indicator for Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs).

She explained that the decision is aimed at strengthening accountability and ensuring that sanitation is treated as a core component of local governance and development planning.

The Deputy Minister further noted that with approximately 40 per cent of households still without access to toilet facilities, and the continued prevalence of open defecation, stronger leadership and measurable performance indicators are critical to driving improvement at the local level.

Also speaking at the event, the Minister of Labour, Jobs and Employment, Dr Rashid Pelpuo, underscored the economic potential within the sanitation sector.

He described sanitation as not only a public health issue but also a key driver of job creation and economic development, particularly for young people and women.

Dr Pelpuo highlighted opportunities within the sanitation value chain, including waste collection, recycling, resource recovery, and environmental services, noting that these sectors can generate sustainable employment while contributing to a cleaner and healthier environment.

He further stressed the importance of ensuring decent working conditions, occupational safety, and fair labour practices for workers within the sanitation ecosystem.

The Executive Breakfast Conversation continues to serve as a strategic platform for policy dialogue, stakeholder engagement, and solution‑driven discussions, bringing together government, development partners, and civil society to advance WASH outcomes in Ghana.

Participants reaffirmed the importance of collaboration, investment, and accountability in achieving universal access to sanitation services and addressing long‑standing sector challenges.

World Vision Ghana reiterated its commitment to working with government, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs), and other stakeholders to improve sanitation service delivery and ensure that communities have access to a clean and healthy environment.

As the country moves to integrate sanitation into performance measurement systems at the local government level, stakeholders expressed optimism that the renewed focus will catalyse action and accelerate progress toward improved environmental sanitation nationwide.

The launch of the Seventh School Sanitation Solutions Challenge alongside the Executive Breakfast Conversation signals a continued commitment to innovation and practical solutions in addressing sanitation challenges.

With sanitation now positioned as a key performance indicator and increasing recognition of its role in both public health and economic development, stakeholders agree that sustained collaboration and strategic investment will be essential in delivering lasting impact.