By Ernest Bako WUBONTO
Ghana’s high-level delegation to the global ‘Sector Ministers’ Meeting (SMM) 2025’ in Madrid between October 22–23 is set to push integration and funding for the nation’s water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) and climate action programmes.
The delegation to SMM, led by two Cabinet ministers – the Minister of Works, Housing and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei and the Minister of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs, Ahmed Ibrahim – will join other high-level government officials and ministers from Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America and rest of the world to address the urgent need for integrated WASH and climate action in national policies.
\xa0Themed ‘Breaking silos: Uniting political leadership to integrate water, sanitation and climate action’, the 2025 SMM seeks to highlight the importance of collaborative governance in strengthening climate resilience and safeguarding communities worldwide.
The summit is co-convened by the government of Spain, UNICEF and the Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) partnership and will gather ministers of water, sanitation, environment, climate and finance from over 60 countries.
The participation of Kenneth Gilbert Adjei and Ahmed Ibrahim is crucial as the duo are expected to leverage Ghana’s robust and accountable national framework in rallying the international community behind President John Dramani Mahama’s push to solidify the link between political leadership and transparent financial accountability in the water and sanitation sector.
From compact to action: Ghana accelerates WASH goals
Ghana’s decision to delegate the two aforementioned ministers underscores the multifaceted nature of global water and sanitation challenges. Involvement of the chieftaincy ministry is particularly significant from a sanitation perspective, recognising the vital role of traditional leaders in disseminating best sanitation practices and driving behavioural change within their communities.
Meanwhile, in the opening remarks of Minister of Works, Housing and Water Resources Kenneth Gilbert Adjei at the Heads of State session during World Water Week in August, he recognised that: “Lack of WASH services fuels preventable diseases, keeps children – especially girls – out of school, undermine gender equity and erode climate resilience”.
The current government is looking to build on the ‘Presidential Compact on WASH’, which was signed by Ghana’s former president in August 2024 to improve public health, increase climate resilience and ensure access to WASH services… particularly in hard-to-reach communities.
With the relaunch of Ghana National Sanitation Day in September this year – allocating 80 percent of the District Assemblies Common Fund (DACF) to eliminate financial constraints on sanitation activities and its nationally-owned Ghana WASH Compact framework – the nation continues working toward real solutions with clear objectives.
In a nutshell, Ghana looks to achieve universal and equitable access to safe water by 2030, drastically reduce open defecation and ensure adequate WASH services in all schools and health facilities.
SMM 2025: Expected outcomes and Ghana’s priorities
At the 2025 SMM in Madrid, mapping out strategies to mobilise domestic resources, attract private investment and increase climate funds will be an important item on the agenda.
The goal is that SWA ministerial meetings will serve as a crucial avenue for global leaders to “monitor progress and mobilise innovative access to clean water and sanitation”, as noted by UN Deputy Secretary General Amina Mohammed.
Consequently, the 2025 SMM’s key outcome is presentation of the High-Level Leaders’ Compact on Water Security and Resilience – a political declaration designed to better integrate water, sanitation and climate action.
The Compact will be an essential milestone, leveraging heads of state initiatives as a game-changer to accelerate progress toward Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) for water and sanitation.
Furthermore, it will provide COP30 Brazil in November 2025 and the UN 2026 Water Conference in December 2026 with the African perspectives needed to help create a global framework meant to align governments, donors and civil society for global solutions.
“African governments have shown that when political will meets partnership, results follow,” Acting CEO of Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) Muyatwa Sitali underlined. “The SMM is where global commitments meet local realities – and Africa’s leadership will be critical to achieving lasting change.”
SWA footprint
For 15 years, the Sanitation and Water for All (SWA) partnership – hosted by UNICEF – has united governments, civil society, private sector actors and development partners to advance human rights to water and sanitation for all. With over 500 partners worldwide, SWA drives political commitment, strengthens institutions and promotes accountability to achieve lasting results.
Provided by SyndiGate Media Inc. (Syndigate.info).
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