Tamale MCE praises WaterAid for development role in Ghana
The Metropolitan Chief Executive (MCE) of Tamale, Alhaji Abdulai Friday, has commended WaterAid in Ghana for the work it is doing in the country especially in the Northern region of the country.
Speaking at the annual review workshop of WaterAid in Ghana and partners in Kumasi last week, he noted that but for the contribution of WaterAid in Ghana in sinking boreholes in the Northern Region, the perennial water shortage that hit the region would have been disastrous.
Two weeks ago Tamale and its environs were hit by a severe water shortage which resulted in a number of people depending on any source of water and mostly queuing for long hours before getting access to water.
On her part, the country representative of WaterAid in Ghana Dr. Afia Zakiya appealed to government to be more committed to its promises. She explained that, though donors and development partners will play their roles in supporting government’s effort it’s up to the government to show a little commitment to sanitation and water issues.
She continued that over the years, government has been donor dependent when it comes to water and sanitation issues which has not been adequate in dealing with problems faced by the country in this sector, there is therefore a need for more pragmatic approach such as sector financing and effective monitoring to ensure that funds allocated to the sector, get to the right sources.
She pledged WaterAid in Ghana’s support in augmenting government’s effort in achieving the MDG targets.
Dr. Zakiya also expressed her appreciation to all the development partners, especially those who have worked with WAG for the past 25 years, she called on them to be more proactive in their delivery especially when sanitation and water issues seem to linger on even though much emphasis is placed here yet less is being realized.
She also admonished partners to utilize resources allocated to them effectively since “WAG is not a donor”. She continued that WAG will put in effective monitoring systems to ensure that the right thing is done, so that the marginalized will also be catered for in society.
By Edmund Smith-Asante