Water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) are fundamental to human health, dignity, and development. They form the cornerstone of every sustainable development agenda, impacting health, education, economic productivity, and overall quality of life. Recognizing the critical importance of WASH, World Vision Ghana has taken proactive steps to reposition the sector as a key driver of national development.

Empowering Journalists to Drive WASH Advocacy

To ensure that issues of WASH are taken seriously by policymakers and the public, World Vision Ghana recently organized a "Trainer of Trainers" workshop for journalists from across the country. This initiative aimed to equip journalists with the latest information on WASH trends and underscore the vital role the media plays in advocating for WASH improvements.

During the workshop, experts highlighted the interconnectedness of WASH with various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 6, which aims to ensure the availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all. The discussions revealed how achieving SDG 6 can positively influence other goals, such as eradicating hunger (SDG 2), combating climate change (SDG 13), and ensuring access to affordable and clean energy (SDG 7).

The State of WASH in Ghana

Despite progress, significant challenges remain. Alarmingly, 17.7% of Ghanaians still lack access to sanitation facilities. The implications of this are dire. According to a UNICEF report, a single gram of human feces can contain up to 10 million viruses, 1 million bacteria, 1,000 parasite cysts, and 100 parasite eggs. This highlights the urgent need to address open defecation and improve sanitation infrastructure.

Mr. Atta Arhin, World Vision Ghana WASH Technical Specialist and a key facilitator, emphasized the need for the state to take decisive action against open defecation and gaps in access to proper sanitation. He pointed out that without proper sanitation, the health risks and economic burdens on communities are enormous.

Menstrual Hygiene: A Critical Component of WASH

The workshop also addressed the often-overlooked issue of menstrual hygiene. Sandra Boakye, Executive Director of InspireHer, discussed how poor menstrual hygiene management affects girls and women, impacting their health, education, and economic opportunities. Journalists were urged to highlight these issues in their reportage to reduce the negative impacts on girls, women, and the broader community.

The Role of Journalists in Promoting WASH

A seasoned journalist, Ama Kudom Agyeman, stressed that journalists have a unique and powerful role in promoting WASH. She encouraged practitioners to incorporate WASH topics into various reporting niches, including nature, environmental, advocacy, science, and health reporting. She noted that by doing so, the Fourth Estate can ensure that WASH issues remain in the public eye and on the agenda of policymakers.

The workshop underscored the importance of partnerships for growth in the WASH sector. Media Coalition Against Open Defecation (MCODe) National Convenor, Mr. Francis Ameyibor, and National Coordinator for the Ghana WASH Journalists Network (GWJN), Justice Lee Adoboe, both stressed that collaborative efforts between the government, non-governmental organizations, the private sector, and the media are essential to achieve significant and sustainable improvements in WASH.

Conclusion

The importance of WASH cannot be overstated. It is indeed a catalyst for socio-economic development, directly affecting health, education, and economic productivity. As Ghana strives towards its development goals, it is imperative that WASH issues are prioritized and integrated into national development plans.

As Mahatma Gandhi once said, "Sanitation is more important than independence." This timeless quote serves as a reminder of the fundamental role that sanitation and hygiene play in the foundation of a healthy and prosperous society.

By empowering journalists and fostering partnerships, World Vision Ghana is making strides in advocating for and improving WASH, thus paving the way for a healthier and more prosperous nation.