Report By: Ishmael Barfi
Accra, Ghana – Hon. Seidu Issifu, the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, has called for robust partnerships to develop climate-resilient water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) systems in Ghana.
Speaking at the WASH4Climate Summit held in Accra, Ghana, Minister Issifu highlighted the importance of collaboration in tackling the impacts of climate change on WASH systems.
“It is an honor to address you today at the WASH4Climate Summit, a gathering that reflects our shared struggle to ensure the fundamental human rights to safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are protected and sustained in the face of a growing climate crisis,” Minister Issifu stated.
Impacts of Climate Change on WASH
Climate change is worsening WASH challenges in Ghana, leading to an increased frequency of floods, droughts, and water source contamination.
According to Minister Issifu, “Climate change is no longer a distant threat. It is present and shaping the way our communities live and survive. It is drying our rivers, contaminating our water sources, and increasing the frequency of floods that destroy WASH infrastructure.”
Government Commitment
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s dedication to addressing climate change, citing the establishment of the Office of the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability.
“This office is more than just a portfolio; it is a declaration that climate action is now a top priority in our nation’s decision-making process,” Minister Issifu noted.
Call to Action
The Minister urged development partners, donors, private sector stakeholders, civil society, and academia to collaborate with the government to enhance WASH adaptation strategies, invest in climate-smart WASH infrastructure, and promote accountability in government actions.
“We must mobilize development partners and donors to commit resources for scaling up WASH adaptation strategies.
Additionally, we must encourage private sector actors to innovate and invest in climate-smart WASH infrastructure,” Minister Issifu emphasized.
The summit aims to strengthen WASH resilience through climate risk and vulnerability assessments and local adaptation planning.
Minister Issifu stressed the importance of ensuring that the summit produces commitments aligned with Ghana’s National Adaptation Plan and advocates for climate financing mechanisms that prioritize WASH resilience.
The Minister also announced plans to establish a Climate Change and Sustainability Hub to coordinate research, policy development, and innovation.
“We will create a Climate Change and Sustainability Hub—a center of excellence that will coordinate research, policy, and innovation, ensuring that insights from initiatives like WASH4Climate inform national planning and global advocacy,” Minister Issifu said.
Additionally, the Minister detailed plans to institutionalize Climate Change and Sustainability Units across all Ministries, Departments, Agencies, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDA).
“These Units will integrate climate action into every sector—health, education, agriculture, and WASH—so that climate resilience becomes a fundamental part of our national identity,” Minister Issifu concluded.
Source: www.thenewindependentonline.com
