Water remains a vital part of everyday life. With growing concerns over limited access to safe and sustainable drinking water, stakeholders are urging stronger partnerships and collective action to address the threats destroying water sources and limiting access to potable water facilities.

The call came during the 40th anniversary celebration of WaterAid Ghana, dubbed Change Starts with Water: Celebrating 40 Years of Impact and Supporting Locally Led Collaboration for the Next 40.”

The anniversary was not just an occasion for celebration but a rallying point for action to safeguard Ghana's water resources, which continue to face mounting threats from human activities and climate change.

Speaking at the ceremony, Country Director for Water Aid Ghana, Ewurabena Yanyi-Akofur, called for local collaborations to reduce dependency and draw accountability in enforcing sustainable water sources.

“With limited financing and many competing priorities, how do we ensure the next 40 years truly accelerate transformation so that everyone, everywhere, has access to water, sanitation, and hygiene? We need stronger, locally led collaboration because we cannot do it without the power of water,” she stated.

Head of Strategy, Policy, and Campaigns at Water Aid Ghana, Ibrahim Musa, outlined ongoing efforts among stakeholders to institutionalize a professional management approach linking communities and artisans to strengthen the safe water delivery system in deprived areas.

“A professionalized management approach means training communities and linking them to local artisans for ongoing support. With communities mobilizing small funds for maintenance, this model moves beyond community ownership (the COM approach) to address the sustainability challenges we face,” he added.

 He further condemned the destructive impact of illegal mining on Ghana's water bodies, calling on traditional authorities and opinion leaders to back the government's efforts to protect these vital resources.

“The government is working to protect our water bodies, but it cannot win the fight against galamsey alone. Chiefs and opinion leaders must also step up, especially in affected areas, to support the government and help end this threat.”

 On his part, the Minister for Local Government, Chieftaincy, and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim, assured communities struggling with water access that the ministry remains open to applications for waivers and approvals to ease their challenges.

“If a district has no legacy project or debt to settle, community  leaders can appeal to the Minister for a waiver to channel those funds into water projects because districts know their needs best.”

Founded in 1985, WaterAid Ghana began its mission to provide clean water, decent toilets, and good hygiene to all communities in Ghana.

The organisation has marked this milestone by highlighting its significant achievements, which include providing clean water to over 1.3 million people, decent toilets to nearly 530,000, and hygiene education to over 1.1 million people in Ghana. 

The 40th anniversary of WaterAid Ghana served as both a reminder of progress made and a call for renewed commitment to sustainable water solutions as the fight to protect the nation's water resources grows ever more urgent.