The Ministry of Local Government, Chieftaincy and Religious Affairs (MLGCRA), in collaboration with the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources (MWHWR), has convened an expert consultation workshop to support the development of a Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) Sector Action Plan as part of Ghana’s ongoing revision of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
To facilitate multi-stakeholder engagement in the development of a comprehensive WASH Sector Action Plan, the workshop brought together stakeholders from government institutions, development partners, academia, civil society, the private sector, and youth networks. This inclusive process underscores Ghana’s commitment to integrating climate action across all sectors while ensuring alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and national development priorities.
Stakeholders represented included the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Ministry of Food and Agriculture (MoFA), the Ghana Irrigation Development Authority (GIDA), the Ghana Rice Inter-professional Body, and the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research – Savanna Agricultural Research Institute (CSIR-SARI). Development partners such as UNICEF Ghana, UNDP Ghana, WaterAid Ghana, and World Vision Ghana also participated, alongside professional associations, private sector actors, and youth climate organizations.
The WASH Sector Action Plan serves as a strategic blueprint for integrating climate change considerations into both national and sub-national WASH programming. It outlines clear sectoral priorities, highlights opportunities for impactful climate action, and identifies existing barriers within water, sanitation, hygiene, and solid waste management. By developing a strong climate rationale, the plan aims to inform Ghana’s NDC revision process. Ultimately, it seeks to align the sector’s commitments with the country’s broader vision for a climate-resilient and low-carbon development pathway.
Through technical presentations, thematic discussions, and consensus-building plenary sessions, participants worked collaboratively to shape sectoral recommendations and priority actions. The outputs of the workshop will contribute directly to Ghana’s NDCs 3.0, extending the country’s targets to 2035 in line with international frameworks, while simultaneously enhancing the ambition of commitments and unlocking finance at scale.
As part of its broader mandate to support inclusive and ambitious climate action, UNDP Ghana provided technical and logistical support to the consultation process, helping to ensure broad participation and meaningful dialogue across sectors.
Mohammed Gyimah, Deputy Director at the Ministry of Environment, Science and Technology, highlighted the importance of the meeting:
“Strengthening Ghana’s climate response requires cross-sector collaboration and evidence-based planning. This workshop has provided us with an opportunity to define sectoral priorities and identify practical pathways for integrating climate action into WASH. The outcomes will not only inform the revision of our NDCs but also guide long-term strategies for resilience and sustainable development.”
This initiative demonstrates the strong collaboration between the Government of Ghana and its development partners, with UNDP reaffirming its commitment to advancing climate-resilient development and supporting Ghana in delivering on its NDC commitments.
