Project Coordinator of the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) Sanitation and Water Project says addressing climate change is essential for building resilience in Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) solutions.

Speaking at the JoyNews Dialogue on WASH and Climate Change, Ing. George Asiedu emphasised the significant impact of climate change on efforts to improve WASH infrastructure and services.

The Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) Sanitation and Water Project for Ghana is World Bank grant of US$150 million to support the Government of Ghana’s efforts to increase access to improved sanitation and improved water supply in the GAMA, with emphasis on low-income communities and to strengthen management of environmental sanitation in the GAMA.

Addressing stakeholders at the event, the engineer explained that “As we aim to achieve universal access to WASH by 2030, climate change poses a substantial threat to our progress.”

"We must recognize that addressing climate change is not a supplementary concern but a critical component of developing sustainable WASH solutions."

The Project coordinator believes that without incorporating climate considerations into WASH management, efforts to enhance water and sanitation services could be undermined.

He stressed the importance of integrating climate adaptation measures into WASH projects to ensure their effectiveness and durability.

“In our quest to reach every community by 2030, we face challenges from climate change that could derail our progress. It’s imperative that we not only focus on our current management strategies but also consider how climate-related factors could impact our efforts,” Asiedu explained.