The Minister of Local Government and Rural Development, Mr Kwadwo Baah-Wiredu, leaves Accra today for Johannesburg, South Africa, to participate in the African Sanitation and Hygiene Conference.

The conference, co-ordinated and co-hosted by the Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC), the Water and Sanitation Programme — Africa Region and the South African Department of Water Affairs and Forestry, is facilitated by the Water Institute of South Africa (WISA).

It is scheduled to begin on July 29, and end on August 1. The conference is expected to attract over 150 delegates from Africa.

In an interview, the minster said at the end of the conference, participants are expected to set global, regional and national goals, sanitation and hygiene, and monitor progress towards them.

Delegates are also to influence the political leaders to give financial priority to sanitation and hygiene in both government and other agencies.

Mr Baah-Wiredu said, “We will also be expected to develop clear national policies, incorporating the national goals for sanitation and hygiene, as integral parts of Poverty Reduction Strategy Papers.”

He said of the 800 million people in Africa, 300 million of them lack adequate sanitation. He said the number is increasing because progress in sanitation is failing to keep up with population growth and urbanisation.

The minister said across the continent, diseases associated with inadequate sanitation and poor hygiene are among the highest causes of illnesses and death, especially among children.