In an endeavor to bolster Ghana’s Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) sector, the United States, through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), has unveiled plans to invest a substantial $100 million over the forthcoming five years. This commitment comes in addition to the $89 million already injected into the sector by USAID since 2009.
The official announcement of this $100 million investment package took place during the launch of the U.S. Global Water Strategy High Priority Country Plan for Ghana in Accra on Friday, October 27. The Country Plan for Ghana has set an ambitious goal of mobilizing an additional $20 million from both public and private sectors within the next half-decade.
The United States Ambassador to Ghana, Virginia Palmer, standing alongside Ghana’s Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Dr. Freda Prempeh, reiterated the United States’ unwavering support for Ghana’s WASH sector. Ambassador Palmer emphasized, “The United States Government eagerly anticipates the continuation of our partnership to ensure that every individual in Ghana gains access to clean water, sanitation, and hygiene for improved health and economic development. Together, we will work to secure clean water and sanitation for all.”
Ambassador Palmer underscored the critical importance of water security, highlighting its direct impact on public health, economic growth, equality, and conflict prevention. She further emphasized that robust water, sanitation, and hygiene services are pivotal for enhancing resilience in the face of global challenges such as pandemics and climate change.
Insufficient WASH services, Ambassador Palmer noted, can have detrimental effects on health, education, and economic progress, underscoring the significant regional implications.