The 23rd edition of the MOLE Conference, the multi-stakeholder learning event in the Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector of Ghana has officially opened today 22nd August 2012.The four day event organized by the Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS) is currently on going at Tamale under the theme“Financing the WASH sector: the past, current Trends and vision for the future”.
The Deputy Minister for Water Resources Works and Housing, Hon.Nii Nortey Duah who presented the keynote address on behalf of the minister Hon. E. T. Mensah, congratulated CONIWAS for sustaining the MOLE conference series for the past twenty three years. He reiterated the commitment of his ministry and government to make funds available to the sector but also advised all stakeholders to ensure that more resources from other sources directed to the sector is effectively utilized. He also mentioned that effective accountability must be given a priority in the sector through processes like NGOs submitting their programe reports to the various local government authorities in their respective operational areas.
The chairperson for CONIWAS Mrs. Victoria Daaku, in her welcome address highlighted the vision and mission of CONIWAS.she advised that WASH issues are taken more seriously as the country risks a higher social and economic cost in future. She entreated all participant gatherd at the conference to ensure effective reflection of the past, checking the present to influence the future, as embedded in the conference theme. She then officially welcomed all participants to the MOLE XXIII Conference.
The chairman for the opening ceremony and also member of council of state, Vo-Naa Mohammed Baba Bawa, in his acceptance speech said he was confident in the outcome of discussions of the conference because of the caliber of participants ranging from decision makers, service providers community leaders among others. He advised existing institutions in Water and sanitation sector to improve the capacity of their employees in order to enhance the provision of improved WASH services to all especially the poor and marginalized.
There were solidarity messages from the Northern Regional Minister, Development Partners, the Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development, Ministry of Water Resources Works and Housing.
Vo-Naa Mohammed Baba Bawa together with the Deputy Minister Hon Nii Nortey Duah jointly opened the conference exhibition of products, information materials and innovations that were on display by organizations within the sector.
The conference which will be running till 25th August 2012 will review various topical issues on sector financing and suggest possible way forward to better the provision of water and sanitation services to all Ghanaians.
Ida Coleman
RCN Ghana.