Laura Cristina Del Valle, the National Director of World Vision Ghana (WVG) says despite the efforts of successive governments and development partners, access to safe and portable drinking water remain a major challenge in the country.
According to her, 18 million people in Ghana lack access to safely managed water while 75 percent of households in the country are at risk of drinking water contaminated with faecal matter.
The World Vision Ghana National Director stated that improving access to Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) for children and their families requires strategic interventions.
Madam Del Valle was speaking at the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between WVG and Gold Fields Ghana Foundation to collaborate on water provision and sanitation.
The partnership seeks to amplify and expand WASH implementations in the Damang-Huni Valley Municipality of Damang, Ghana.
Through the partnership there will also be: Increased access to safe water; Fostered sustainability; Strengthened water governance; Promoted innovated solutions and Prioritized inclusivity.
Madam Del Valle is sure the partnership would address the critical challenge many Ghanaian communities face.
“Today marks a significant step towards securing the well-being of children, families and communities in Damang. This Memorandum of Understanding between World Vision Ghana and Gold Fields Ghana Foundation signifies a bold step in the right direction to address the crucial issue of water access and sustainability in the Damang-Huni Valley Municipality”.
Abdel-Razak Yakubu, the Executive Secretary of the Foundation in his remarks viewed the partnership as an act of service to humanity.
He said “service of this nature is the greatest act of worship; so all the talk, evangelism and everything if you don’t back it with service to humanity, then you fall short. What we are doing is not just our jobs but worshiping God by the act of service.”
Mr. Razak Yakubu indicated that as the first mining sector foundation in the country with the objective of bringing development to their operational communities, the vision of the WVG is in sync with the vison of the Foundation.
The Gold Fields Foundation Executive Secretary disclosed that as at January, 2024 the Foundation had invested over 100 million dollars in water, Health, educations, agric and infrastructure sectors adding “it is not the investment that matters to us but the impact; that is where we get our satisfaction.”
Professor Ernest Ofori Asamoah, the Vice Chair of WVG Board noted that clean water is not a convenience but a fundamental human right stressing that “by joining hands today, we demonstrate our collective responsibility to empower communities, advocate for change and ensure access to clean water and sanitation for all”.
Nana Bene Mireku I, the Abakumahene of Wassa Damang and the beneficiary Community said minerals mined in communities must benefit the community.
He explained that mining companies hold about 11 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s), the reason the signing of the MoU is a game changer for his community.
Nana Bene Mireku-I assured his community that the signing of the agreement signaled the end of the water challenges in the community.
WVG has operated in Ghana for over 40 years in 14 out of 16 regions of Ghana. WVG’s strategic technical programmes are focused WASH, education, livelihood and community improvement and empowerment, in addition to humanitarian and relief efforts.
By Jeffrey De-Graft Johnson