20th ANAM WASH Radio programme-Commemoration of 2020 Global Handwashing Day
The 20th edition of the ANAM WASH Radio programme was held on Anapua Fm the discussion focused on the Global Handwashing Day for 2020 under the theme “Hand Hygiene for All” to commemorate the day in the district. The importance of hand hygiene was emphasized especially through handwashing with soap and triggering lasting change from the policy-level to community-driven action. According to the Project Coordinating Officer The discussions highlighted the critical role hand hygiene plays in reducing diseases transmission especially in the current Covid-19 situation and citizens were reminded to take hand hygiene seriously and make it part of their everyday’s business. After the radio discussion, a demonstration to school pupils on proper handwashing was carried out at the Kenyasi No. 1 Methodist school.
Asutifi North District Holds Town Hall Meeting on progress of WASH masterplan implementation
On October 27, 2020 in Kenyasi, the Asutifi North district in collaboration with IRC Ghana organized a town hall meeting to provide updates on the progress of implementation of the WASH masterplan and received feedback from citizens on areas that are going well and others that require improvements. The annual town hall meeting platform enables citizens to directly engage with staff of the district assembly and ANAM partners to ask questions and demand accountability from duty bearers. The meeting brought together chiefs, queen mothers, Assembly members, Head of Departments, CSOs, CNHF Grantees, NGOs, Persons with Disability, service providers, market women, youth groups, and the media.
The District Chief Executive Hon. Anthony Mensah in his address at the meeting lauded the CNHF grantees and the people of Asutifi North District for collectively working to put the district on the path of progress towards realizing the 2030 vision of universal WASH services for everyone. The DCE announce that this is moving away from the construction of public latrines for communities to the facilitation of the construction household latrines through the Community Led Total Sanitation and Sanitation Marketing Models. In addition, the District Works Department will strictly enforce the building regulations by ensuring every new building will have a toilet in it.
Key updates on the masterplan implementation progress shared at the meeting included:
- 15 new boreholes with handpumps have been completed and are providing services to 15 communities. Additional 28 new boreholes are under construction. Piped water services have been provided in 2 health facilities namely Gambia No.1 and Biaso whilst two water station have been constructed and are providing water services to Wamahinso and Gambia No.1 towns
- Water services have been extended to 6 schools with the construction of 5 water systems in 5 schools ongoing
- Water services is been expanded to 3 additional health facilities- including Atwedie, Krakyekrom, and Koforidua
- Over 71 Water and Sanitation Management Teams have been trained to operate and manage new and existing water infrastructure in the communities
- Under the CLTS, 22 households in 11 communities have constructed their own households’ toilets serving 108 peoples and so far, two communities have been declared ODF
- Under the water quality assurance found established by ANDA, Aguaya and Ghana Water Company Limited in the district, 10 water systems have been supported to undertake bi-weekly water quality testing in to inform remedial actions around water safety.
- Participated at the meeting applauded the district and its partners for their efforts in expanding water services to many communities, schools, and health care facilities. However, the need to pay attention to providing water services to unserved populations to ensure no one is left behind was also reiterated.
- The District Planning Officer, Mr. James Atta-Era, in his closing remarks thanked all participants for attending the meeting and providing valuable feedback on the masterplan implementation which will improve the delivery of WASH services in the district.
