Getting Started in Ghana
The first step is to prove to the global community that universal coverage is do-able. Clearly demonstrated, measurable success will help achieve the critical mass we need to convince leaders in the developing world to urgently tackle this silent emergency. To arrive at that point, WaterPlus intends to make Ghana the first sub-Saharan country in Africa to reach universal coverage in water and sanitation. We have chosen Ghana as the first target country for a number of reasons:
- the Government of Ghana has proven its willingness to prioritize safe water and sanitation,
- dozens of Ghanaian and international organizations are poised to increase their water-related efforts,
- Ghana is a relatively stable country socially, economically and security-wise, and
- most importantly, the need for safe water and improved sanitation in Ghana remains very serious today (for example, Ghana is one of only thirteen countries where Guinea worm, a waterborne disease, remains endemic).
Ghana
