The Ahafo Regional Learning Alliance Platform (RLAP) recently convened a validation meeting in Goaso to discuss preliminary findings from the study on 'Advancing Safely Managed Water Services in Rural Ghana: Drivers and Barriers.' The meeting, organised by IRC Ghana in collaboration with the Ahafo Regional Coordinating Council (AhRCC) and supported by the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, brought together over eighty regional and district stakeholders, including government officials, political and traditional leaders, service providers, and WASH partners.
The RLAP served as a collaborative forum for dialogue, experience-sharing and feedback on the initial findings and proposed strategies to overcome systemic barriers to safely managed water services.
Speaking on behalf of the Regional Minister, Hon. Charity Gardner, Jacob Adade Ntiamoah of the Ahafo Regional Coordinating Council emphasised the importance of collective action and robust monitoring in advancing the region's integrated WASH agenda:
"This RLAP reflects our shared commitment to improving water services across the Ahafo Region. The research findings offer an opportunity to reflect, learn and re-strategise. Monitoring, evaluation and learning must be central to our efforts. Accordingly, the AhRCC plans to procure eight motorcycles, one for each district, to strengthen monitoring activities."
Key Findings
The study assessed progress in Asutifi North, identified systemic barriers and provided recommendations to inform strategies for advancing safely managed water services.
IRC Ghana Water Expert, Jeremiah Atengdem, presented the findings, noting that while national access to safely managed water services increased from 32% in 2015 to 44% in 2024, rural districts such as Asutifi North continue to face significant challenges. Access in Asutifi North rose from 5% in 2017 to 16% in 2024, falling short of the 30% target set for 2030.
The study identified four service delivery models: Rural Water Utility, Community Management, Private Management and Self-Supply. Private and utility-led models demonstrated stronger prioritisation of household connections, while community-managed systems lagged due to high connection costs and weak governance structures. Jeremiah Atengdem explained,
"Service delivery models matter. Utility and private models prioritise household connections, while community-managed systems struggle due to high costs and weak management."
Additional Insights from the Dialogue
Infrastructure constraints were a major concern, as some service providers struggle to expand capacity despite high demand, resulting in limited production and unreliable services. Affordability barriers also emerged, with high connection costs making it difficult for many households to access water on premises. Water quality was another challenge, with infrequent testing raising concerns about safety. Governance gaps were evident, particularly in community-managed systems where the tenure of some Water and Sanitation Management Teams had expired, necessitating reconstitution and stronger district oversight.
Recommendations
The RLAP stakeholders called for clear targets, enhanced monitoring systems, standardised tools and stronger advocacy from the national level.
At the district level, priorities included integrating safely managed water goals into development plans, building technical capacity, tailoring service models and investing in infrastructure upgrades. District-specific discussions also addressed water quality, payment challenges in resettlement communities and the need for improved customer engagement and routine maintenance frameworks.
Conclusion
The RLAP meeting concluded with a strong call for coordinated stakeholder action, strategic partnerships and community-led solutions. The insights and recommendations generated provide a clear outline for accelerating progress towards the 2030 WASH targets in the Ahafo Region. As the region continues to innovate and collaborate, the RLAP remains a vital platform for learning, reflection and collective action to ensure every household has access to safe, reliable and sustainable water services.