(Ecofin Agency) - The USAID announced an investment to assist the about six million children and their families who lack clean water in Ghana (World Vision International’s data). The organization has pledged $45.5 million over the next five years to improve water and sanitation access in the country.

The investment will mainly focus on the Upper East, Upper West, North-East, Northern, Savannah and Oti regions. It is in line with Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6), which aims to ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all by 2030.

This project will be jointly led by the Ghanaian authorities, as well as the USAID and its partners. It is expected to benefit 550,000 people, 300,000 of whom will be provided with basic sanitation and 250,000 with drinking water.

"Communities need clean water and healthy sanitation. Together we will continue to support individuals, communities, districts, and regions to achieve universal access to clean water and basic sanitation and hygiene services. This is an essential activity during the COVID-19 pandemic, and beyond, to improve the health of Ghanaians and their economy,” said Stephanie Sullivan, U.S. Ambassador to Ghana.

Before this new project, the US organization has already provided 150,000 people with access to safe drinking water and another 200,000 with access to improved sanitation facilities. The U.S. government and Ghana have been collaborating on such projects for more than 10 years, and have already constructed or rehabilitated 200 boreholes for hospitals, clinics and schools.

In addition to this WASH initiative (water, sanitation and hygiene), an emergency dispatch centre has been set up in Gushiegu, northern region, to strengthen the health system.

According to World Vision International (WVI), in 2018, nearly eight out of ten households consumed water contaminated with faecal matter and nearly half of the water sources were also affected. The humanitarian organization cited poverty as a cause of this phenomenon. People living in cities are also more likely to have access to clean water than those living in rural areas.

Jean-Marc Gogbeu (intern)