Water and sanitation have become critical at critical moments when Covid-19 strikes and climate change is ravaging nations.

Individuals and organizations are calling for actions across the board to mitigate and solve challenges that affect lives in the long term.

Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS) chair says there is no regret to invest in water and sanitation at this crucial moment.

"Investment in WASH is no regret investment," he said.

Turn political commitment into practical actions, according to Yaw Attah Arhin is the way forward.

"Investments in WASH are what we call a “no-regrets” investment which has multiplier effects on all productive sectors of the economy."

According to the chair, the economic benefits of sanitation are about five times the cost, and improving hand hygiene can generate savings in health expenditure of up to fifteen times the cost.

"Unfortunately, underinvestment in WASH has left 4.2 million Ghanaians without safe drinking water, and more than 22 million without basic sanitation or the means to wash their hands (JMP 2020)."

Quoting the famous American Philosopher, Deepak Chopra Mr. Arhin says "Although we take it for granted, sanitation is a physical measure that has probably done more to increase human life span than any kind of drug or surgery."

Mr. Arhin expresses the slow pace towards delivering on commitments to Sustainable Development Goal 6 for water and sanitation.

He says, "sanitation is especially lagging. To achieve the 2030 goals and make sanitation for all is a reality, the rate of progress needs to quadruple. And as COVID-19 has shown us, we have no time to waste. We have to build resilience and get it right."

He, however, comments Government through the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources and relevant Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), for partnering private sector waste management companies to construct state of the art waste treatment facilities in Accra and Kumasi.

“It is, however, time to turn political commitment into real action by according the WASH sector increased prioritization and adequate financing,” he urged.

Mr. Arhin was speaking at the 32nd MOLE WASH conference at Ejisu in the Ashanti region.

He lauds the contribution of NGOs in the WASH sector over the years describing it as a significant impact.

“The 2017 and 2018 WASH CSOs Performance Report bears ample testimony to our contribution. Indeed, during the peak of the COVID-19 pandemic, NGOs supported the government’s effort with funding, supply of WASH facilities and services, particularly handwashing facilities, personal protective equipment, community sensitization, and public education. We will continue to play these roles to improve the fortunes of the ordinary Ghanaian citizen.”