Sector Learning focuses on sustainability at Mole
There is indication that the Sustainable Services at Scale (or Triple-S) project will continue to have the full support of stakeholders in the WASH sector following overwhelming acknowledgement by participants at the sector learning session of 21st Mole Conference (Mole XXI) that the sustainability of facilities and services is paramount.
At least, participants were impressed at the objectives behind the Triple-S project when the project was discussed extensively at a sector learning on water, sanitation and climate change session of Mole XXI.
Introducing the project, Vida Duti of Triple-S said the project was intended to reverse a trend of system failures. Estimates, according to her, have it that 30-33 percent of all rural water systems (including boreholes, pumps and wells) in Ghana are not functioning. “We are not even talking of those that are delivering below minimum capacity.”
This situation is attributable to the drive to increase the number of new water delivery systems without paying attention to maintenance. Usually, there is failure to raise finances for replacement costs. These developments are frustrating host communities for these projects.
Participants and discussants unanimously endorsed approaches like the Triple-S. They drew attention to the need to document such approaches used in water and sanitation interventions to foster sector-wide learning and replication.
“There is the need to document approaches used in water and sanitation interventions by various actors at all levels to ensure that best practices can be shared and utilised in project interventions,” the participants stated in a communiqué issued at the end of the conference.
They also noted that to achieve sustainability of systems, government should ensure that project designs make adequate funding for post construction support and management. In addition, funding should be put in place for project learning, capacity building and refresher training for district water and sanitation boards and WATSAN committees.
Furthermore, the Community Ownership and Management (COM) concept should not be compromised in project interventions in the rural sub-sector and should be devoid of undue influences from traditional authorities, donors and politicians etc., to ensure sustainability of services provided.
On their part, Civil Society Organisations should work with their partners to ensure that project proposals are done in line with national systems, fitting in national programmes as a priority.
Ghana is one of two countries to benefit from the six-year Triple-S project. The project is headed by IRC International Water and Sanitation Centre with the involvement of UK based firm Aguaconsult. The initiative is to improve sustainability of rural water supply for some of the poorest people in the world, by reshaping the way such services are provided. The Triple-S is hosted by the Community Water and Sanitation Agency. The session on sector learning at Mole 21 was organised by RCN Ghana in collaboration with CONIWAS.