WASH News West Africa
News feed maintained by information specialists from IRC and partners.
Africa: Water security hinges on better infrastructure
16 Sep 10
As Africa continues its seemingly endless struggle for water security, why is the beleaguered continent lagging behind Asia and Latin America – despite commitments and declarations by political leaders? “It is hard to generalise across a continent,” Alex Simalabwi of …Continue reading →
Ghana: The double agony of Dunga-poverty and polluted water
03 Sep 10
The people of Dunga, a settlement in the Tamale Metropolitan Area, drink from a dam which is usually polluted with human excreta. Due to the poor source of water, several members of the community have been afflicted with diseases which …Continue reading →
Nigeria: Bauchi begins house-to-house sanitation
03 Sep 10
Stake holders on primary health care and water sanitation in Bauchi State have embarked on ‘operation clean your environment’ as part of measures put in place to control the spread of cholera in the state. Bauchi State Director of the …Continue reading →
Ghana: You want a wife? Where is your water source?
31 Aug 10
Potable water, as it is often said is life. The lack of it affects all the spheres of human activity – health, social, education, agriculture, politics and economics. The lack of this essential commodity makes life meaningless. Its importance can …Continue reading →
Nigeria, Cameroon: WHO confirms surge in cholera cases
20 Aug 10
Cholera is surging again in parts of the world, a World Health Organisation expert said on Thursday, pointing to epidemics in Nigeria and Cameroon. Claire-Lise Chaignat, the co-ordinator of the WHO’s group on cholera, noted the UN health agency has …Continue reading →
Ghana: Essential services platform calls for gender sensitive policies in water sector
18 Aug 10
The Essential Services Platform has called on government to formulate water-related gender sensitive policies that will benefit women. The call follows disturbing revelations from a recent study on “Women’s Voices in Water Governance and Management” in Ghana. According to the …Continue reading →
Gambia: VP inaugurates water projects in NBR
12 Aug 10
The vice president and minister of Women Affairs, Her Excellency Dr Isatou Njie-Saidy, Monday inaugurated water supply projects in Kuntair in the Jokadu District and Saaba village in Lower Baddibou District, North Bank Region (NBR). Speaking at the inauguration ceremony …Continue reading →
Ghana: No toilet facilities for Pong-Tamale Senior High School
04 Aug 10
Students of Pong-Tamale Senior High School (PONTASS) in the Northern Region are making do with free-range (open defecation) because of lack of toilet facilities at the school. Most of the over 800 students have deserted the only toilet in the school which is near the boys’ dormitory because it is but a harvest of maggots. [...]
Ghana: Pupils taught to practice good hygiene
03 Aug 10
A programme dubbed, “Wash United” aimed at promoting proper hygiene and sanitation practices in schools and communities has been introduced in the Kassena Nankana West District of the Upper East Region. The programme, which places emphasis on hand washing with soap before and after eating and after visiting the toilet, was organised for 14 primary [...]
Burkina Faso: Race to achieve goals on sanitation
03 Aug 10
The government of Burkina Faso has embarked on the construction of 55,000 latrines each year to improve access to proper sanitation for the population from the present 10 percent to 54 percent by 2015. According to the authorities, the average rate of access to sanitation in urban areas is currently 20 percent, while in rural [...]
