Participants at the fourth National Learning Exchange
Join us for a national dialogue on strengthening local systems to deliver safe and sustainable WASH services for all by 2030 - Reflections on district-wide approaches
Published on: 28/07/2025
Achieving universal access to safe and affordable water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) by 2030 demands collective action, adequate financing, and strong partnerships. With the 2030 deadline fast approaching, it is vital to reflect on recent innovations, share lessons learnt, and identify scalable actions to accelerate progress.
IRC, in collaboration with the National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), CONIWAS, WaterAid, and other partners – together with the respective District Assemblies – is convening a National Learning Exchange on District-Wide Approaches (DWAs) under the theme: "Strengthening local systems to deliver safe and sustainable WASH services: Reflections on district-wide approaches towards meeting the targets for SDG 6."
The National Learning Exchange provides a platform for like-minded partners implementing district-wide approaches to achieving WASH and WASH-related SDGs to share their experiences and gain first-hand insight into how these approaches are being rolled out and replicated. The objective is to strengthen robust local systems that deliver safe and sustainable WASH services for all. The platform seeks to stimulate inclusive, district-focused dialogue and interaction to identify key learning points that can accelerate improved planning and practice towards achieving universal access to WASH services.
This session aims to reflect on Ghana's progress towards SDG 6 and share lessons from district-wide WASH interventions, highlighting how local governments and partners are collaborating to deliver services in diverse contexts. It will also explore how WASH plans are being integrated into Medium-Term Development Plans, examine what is working and what is not, and provide an opportunity for learning, dialogue, and the development of actionable recommendations to enhance planning and support the replication of successful approaches.
Venue: Coconut Grove Hotel, Accra
Date: August 7, 2025
Time: 09:00–16:00
Programme:
08:30 Registration/ Networking - All/ Facilitator
Opening session:
09:00 Opening Prayer | Introduction - Facilitator/All
09:05 Welcome Address - IRC Ghana Country Director
09:20 Brief messages - MWHWR, MLGCRA, DPs, CONIWAS, WAG
09:40 Keynote Address - Director General, NDPC
Learning exchange session:
09:50 WASH SDG Country Status & MTDP Framework updates - NDPC
10:05 WASH Systems strengthening - IRC Ghana
10:15 District Updates - Asutifi North| Asunafo South| Asunafo North| Tano North| Bongo
- Progress of masterplan implementation
- Level of integration of plans into MTDPs/ Action Plans
- Partnerships for delivery
- Learning Experience - what works and what does not & what should be done differently?
11:15 Quick Clarification/ Q&A / Comments - All/ Facilitator
11:30 Coffee Break - All
11:45 Overview of the National NTDs-WASH situation/ Case of Upper Denkyira East - GHS-National NTD Unit | UDEMA/GHS-MHD
12:05 District expert panel discussion - UDEMA| GHS-UDEMHD| Bongo| GHS-National NTD Unit:
- Direct impact of WASH intervention on health - UDEMA & Bongo
- WASH-NTDs masterplan implementation
- Level of integration of plans into MTDPs/ Action Plans
- Partnerships for delivery
- Learning Experience - what works and what does not & what should be done differently?
12:45 District Updates - Asutifi South| Tano South| RCC| NDPC Districts:
- WASH Masterplan & What next?
- How are you integrating WASH plans into MTDPs/ Action Plans?
- Any partnerships for delivery?
- Expectations going forward?
13:20 Quick Clarification/ Q&A/ Comments - Facilitator / All
13:30 Lunch
14:30 Overview:
- Pathways to universal WASH coverage in Ghana: lessons from scaling Asutifi North's approach - IRC
- Institutionalisation (Prioritising WASH in the MTDP) - NDPC
14:50 Group Discussion:
- Reflections on emerging issues for strengthening local systems to deliver safe & sustainable WASH services
o How do we make WASH one of the key priorities?
o Funding to implement the prioritised WASH Actions?
o What partnerships do we need in place?
o How do we institutionalise this process?
o How do we sustain this process?
Closing session:
15:30 Reflections - AhRCC | Districts team leads
15:40 Recap key lessons & Call to action - NDPC /CONIWAS
15:50 Wrap-up - IRC Country Director
16:00 Closing Prayer/ Lunch/ Departure - Facilitator/All
