As the fight against illegal mining in water bodies continues to intensify, the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Lydia Seyram Alhassan, has called for unified support to address the growing crisis.

Speaking at the ongoing MOLE XXXV WASH Conference in Ho in the Volta Region, she highlighted the need for every Ghanaian to contribute to preserving the nation's water resources.

"The fight now is a fight against mining in our water bodies. We are all in this together. We need support for each and every one," she said, emphasizing that collaboration is key in overcoming the challenges facing the country's water systems.

The theme of this year’s conference, “Looking Back on SDG 6 Implementation in Ghana: Progress, Challenges, and the Way Forward,” prompted a reflection on the nation's journey in achieving Sustainable Development Goal 6 (SDG 6) — ensuring clean water and sanitation for all.

The Sanitation Minister stressed that it is crucial to take a step back after nine years of implementation and assess the sector’s progress.

"It is appropriate to pause and assess our performance with the view of correcting mistakes made and re-strategizing for accelerated implementation of agreed actions," she noted.

In her speech, she expressed satisfaction with the sector's accomplishments so far but acknowledged the need for renewed commitment.

"I am happy to know that after nine years of implementing the various targets of SDG 6, we ought to pause and assess our collective performance and review our commitment to adjusting our approaches. This will allow us to reach our destination faster and easier."

The MOLE Conference, now in its 35th edition, serves as a critical platform for stakeholders to engage in discussions surrounding water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) issues in Ghana. This year’s gathering is particularly focused on the nation's progress towards achieving the SDG 6 targets, to overcome the obstacles that have hindered its full realization.