By Enock Akonnor, enockakonnor2013@gmail.com
In other to achieve the SDG 6 targets by 2030, the approach of the GAMA Sanitation and Water Project must be scaled up nationwide; Ing. George Asiedu, Coordinator, GAMA/GKMA SWP has recommended.
As situation stands now, the government of Ghana needs to provide about 944,000 household toilet facilities within 8 years to be able to relieve itself from the canker of open defecation.
Per the assertion of Ing. Asiedu, replicating the
GAMA intervention across the country is the rapid way of increasing access to toilet facilities.
“Doing that within the 8 years, we can be sure of achieving the SDG 6”; he stressed in an interview on the sidelines of the 2022 engagement with media partners.
He explained that the GAMA Project is targeted at providing 15,000 toilet facilities yearly and 120,000 within the 8 years period.
However, the project covers only Greater Accra and Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Assemblies and per deductions, providing 120,000 toilet facilities will still live an outstanding figure of 824,000, representing toilets needed to satisfy the target of 944,000 required to move the country from the menace of open defecation.
“GAMA is to attain SDG 6…We must scale up the GAMA approach Nationwide and if we don’t do that, it will be a difficult task to achieve”, he underlined in the interview.
SDG 6 Targets
6.1 By 2030, achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all
6.2 By 2030, achieve access to adequate and equitable sanitation and hygiene for all and end open defecation, paying special attention to the needs of women and girls and those in vulnerable situations
6.3 By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials, halving the proportion of untreated wastewater and substantially increasing recycling and safe reuse globally
6.4 By 2030, substantially increase water-use efficiency across all sectors and ensure sustainable withdrawals and supply of freshwater to address water scarcity and substantially reduce the number of people suffering from water scarcity
6.5 By 2030, implement integrated water resources management at all levels, including through transboundary cooperation as appropriate
6.6 By 2020, protect and restore water-related ecosystems, including mountains, forests, wetlands, rivers, aquifers and lakes
6.A By 2030, expand international cooperation and capacity-building support to developing countries in water- and sanitation-related activities and programmes, including water harvesting, desalination, water efficiency, wastewater treatment, recycling and reuse technologies
6.B Support and strengthen the participation of local communities in improving water and sanitation management
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