Ghana receives World Bank loan to improve water and sanitation services in Accra

GHANA – The Government of Ghana has received a US$125 million loan from International Development Association- a member of the World Bank Group – for the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area Sanitation and Water Project (GAMA SWP).

This additional financing which will support Ghana’s effort to improve water and sanitation services for about 550,000 people in low income urban communities of the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area (GAMA) and the Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area (GKMA).

Pierre Laporte, World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Sierra Leone and Liberia noted that providing equitable access to safe and improved water supply and sanitation services is essential to improve people’s lives particularly in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Through this project, we are committed to provide better access to water and sanitation to the most vulnerable, therefore improving lives and reducing poverty.”

Pierre Laporte – World Bank Country Director for Ghana, Sierra Leone and Liberia

The additional financing to the GAMA SWP will also help provide water, sanitation and hygiene facilities to schools and healthcare facilities and promote handwashing. This is expected to benefit around 200,000 people.

Part of the funds will also be used to provide about 250,000 people with toilet facilities.

Households benefiting from toilets and/or water connection will also benefit from handwashing facilities and relevant handwashing training.

Yitbarek Tessema, Senior Water Supply and Sanitation Specialist at the World Bank said, “By promoting the use of safe sanitation and hygiene practices, the existing project has enabled vulnerable communities combat the spread of COVID-19 pandemic.”

The project will also improve coordination between key agencies and strengthen the capacity and performance of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) and Metropolitan and Municipal Assemblies.

The project will achieve this by reducing Non-Revenue Water, improving wastewater management, addressing issues of pollution, climate-change and translating development plans into focused actions.

According to a report by Ghana Web, the Government of Ghana has plans to replicate the successful GAMA SWP approaches in Kumasi, and further expand services to targeted beneficiaries.

Liked this article? Subscribe to DealStreet Africa News, our regular email newsletter with the latest news, deals and insights from Africa’s business, economy and more. SUBSCRIBE HERE