Consider sustainable funding partnerships with our local NGOs, CBOs –CONIWAS appeals to Development Partners

The National Executive Committee of the Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs) in Water, and Sanitation (CONIWAS), is appealing to International NGOs (INGOs) and Development Partners to consider sustainable funding partnerships with members of the coalition, both local NGOs and Community-based Organisations (CBOs) to sustain their programmes and Organizations.

According to the coalition, all active National NGOs and CBOs members are deeply struggling with funding challenges to implement its policies and programmes.

This appeal was made on behalf of the Coalition, by the newly elected Chairperson of CONIWAS, Ms. Beata Awinpoka Akanyani during her welcome address at the 34^thedition of the MOLE Conference series which is been held at the plush Royal Cosy Hills and Safari Resort at Jirapa in the Upper West Region.

According to Ms. Awinpoka Akanyani, the coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) era has further exacerbated the funding situation for most national NGOs and CBOs.

“I am using this opportunity to appeal to International NGOs and Development Partners (DPs) to consider sustainable funding partnerships with our national NGOs and CBO members of CONIWAS to sustain their programmes and Organizations.” She reiterated.

The CONIWAS which was established in 2003 with over 80 memberships from National NGOs, International NGOs, and Affiliates is currently divided into three zones which are; the northern, middle, and southern zones.   

The Chairperson of CONIWAS hinted that the Northern Zone of the coalition has a vibrant membership and has come up with critical policy perspectives on Community-led Total Sanitation (CLTS) and Sanitation which they are preparing to develop into a position paper.

Members of the Northern Zone, retorted are also preparing to develop another policy position on subsidies and will soon hold policy dialogues with relevant stakeholders on these issues.

However, the Middle Zone, she noted is reactivating its membership base and is planning to engage more with the Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the Eastern, Ashanti, Bono, Bono East, and Ahafo Regions to support WASH planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation.

“Let me emphasize that this is a ZONE with very poor donor support for WASH activities which has affected and continues to affect our members,” the Chairperson of CONIWAS revealed.

She also emphasised that despite the many INGOs and DPs having their headquartered in Accra, members in the Southern Zone which includes the Greater Accra Region are also not spared of the challenge of inadequate funding for WASH activities.

However, Ms. Awinpoka Akanyani assured the coalition members as well as other sector players of the newly elected national executives and Zonal Leaders commitment to rewrite the narratives. Saying they are poised and ready to work with INGOs, the Government of Ghana (GoG), and DPs to accelerate Ghana’s WASH access rate.

“We are prepared for durable and effective partnerships to promote innovative service delivery, address inequities and work to strengthen systems”. She added.

Story: Kwakwo BUABENG