Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS)

Annual Programme Report

2011

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1.0 Introduction

The Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS) is an umbrella Civil Society Organization (CSO) established to contribute to water

resource management and sustainable provision of water and sanitation services and hygiene promotion services in Ghana. It’s dedicated to ensuring

potable water supply and improved sanitation integrated with hygiene promotion is available in right quantity and right time to citizens of the country,

especially the poor and marginalized groups in society. Formed in 2003, CONWAS has provided and continues to provide space for WASH sector

NGOs to engage themselves as well as the government and other sector organizations on issues affecting the sector. CONIWAS acts as a mouthpiece

for over 50 member constituents where it derives its strength. The Network provides a forum for CSO coordination and involvement in debates and

information exchange to influence policy decisions and strategies affecting the WASH sector. It seeks to initiate, develop and maintain collaborative

mechanisms among CSOs working in Ghana and Africa by enhancing communication on matters relating to WASH. It updates members on

national and international WASH initiatives, policies and strategies and best practices relevant to the Ghanaian scenario.

CONIWAS has the following vision and missions:

Water and Sanitation for All for Development through Collective action

The Mission is:

“Working in partnership with sector players to influence policies, remove barriers and promote access to potable water, sanitation and improved

hygiene for all especially the poor and vulnerable.”

CONIWAS works to achieve the following goals:

Building partnerships with relevant stakeholders in order to increase access to water and sanitation for the poor and vulnerable in urban, peri

–urban and rural areas.

Demonstrating and stimulating ways of scaling up through members the delivery of sustainable and equitable water, sanitation and hygiene

promotion within the context of national policy environment

Creating strong and effective advocacy platforms towards influencing policy and enabling marginalized populations develop a voice.

Building knowledge and developing capacity of relevant stakeholders in the water and sanitation sector in Ghana.

Establishing mechanisms for ensuring sustainability of CONIWAS as an institution, and its contribution to the sector.

The mission will be achieved by:

Deepening existing partnership relations with existing partners whilst at the same time defining and developing new alliances and partnership

to achieve the mission. The choice of new partners will be determined by the context (extent of marginalization), type of interventions

planned (advocacy vs. service delivery or type of expertise needed)

Demonstrating and stimulating ways of scaling up through members the delivery of sustainable and equitable water, sanitation and hygiene

promotion within the context of national policy environment.

Investigating barriers to sustainable and equitable water, sanitation and hygiene promotion service delivery. This will include making

evidence-based arguments for the improvement of the decentralized delivery of those services.

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2.0 Programs Implemented and Outcomes

Programmes implemented were categorized the main programme domains Governance and Accountability, Research and Advocacy, Partnerships

and Collaboration and Organizational Development.

2.1 Governance and Accountability Programme

Projects and activities implemented focused on creating space for citizens to demand for improved WASH Services in their communities. Two

projects delivered under this domain were Citizen’s Demand for Improved Water Services in Obuasi and Kanda Cluster of Schools Projects in Accra

a) Citizen’s Demand for Improved Water Services in Obuasi

Obuasi is one of the single largest mining communities in Ghana. The town has seen greater expansion in settlement without a correspondent

expansion in utility provision, in this case, water. Most of the suburbs, especially the peripheries, and the slums do not have adequate access to

potable supply. The services are intermittent and flow is irregular. However, no mechanism was established to collect and collate consumers’

complains and address them. A project was initiated in 2010 where people from the slums and other suburbs engaged the Service Provider, AVRL to

demand for improved services. The engagement was aimed at promoting community participation in urban water service delivery and creating a

platform for community/service provider engagement for improved water supply services. Issues discussed included water quality, irregular supplies

of water, high billing costs and cost of connections. Community Score Card was the main social accountability tool used to facilitate this process. The

results were series of actions to be taken by the provider to enhance service delivery to the communities. This year’s project was therefore a follow-

up to assess the extent to which the action plan was implemented and whether it resulted in improved water provision to the communities. At the

meeting were the representatives of the suburbs, Ghana Urban Water Limited (GUWL), and Public Utility Regulatory Commission (PURC). At the

end of the meeting, there were indications that the quality of water to households has improved dramatically and this was attributed to regular flushing

of the pipelines. In addition, the main pipeline was replaced with a new one which has bigger diameter. This enhanced flow of water and increased

household

Citizen Making her Point at the Engagement Meeting

Citizens/Service Providers Engagement

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Some of the Problems Associated with WASH Services in

the School

lack of water though the toilets are water closets Cleanliness

of the toilets

An untidy toilet is a health hazard to us as pupils and makes

us feel uncomfortable to use the toilets especially with urine

and sanitary pads on the floor of the toilet;

Inadequate dustbins for waste collected

Inadequate separate toilet facilities for boys and girls

Toilet seats were broken

Not every child/pupil can use the water closet

Poor lightening in the toilets and therefore pupils especially

girls feel insecure

Inadequate privacy especially for girls because the toilets

could not be closed from inside. “e.g., boys coming in to spy

on the girls”

No toiletries are provided for use by the pupils

The does not encourage pupils to use the toilet. .

Lack of maintenance of the physical infrastructure: e.g.,

broken toilet, seats, water pots and cracked walls.

Inadequate Handwashing stand with soap and running water

b. Kanda Cluster of Schools Project

It is estimated that about 60% of public schools in Ghana do not have adequate

latrine facilities and 40% lacked access to potable water. Schools which have some

level of access are challenged by their ability to operate and maintain the physical

infrastructure. This project, which was limited in scope, was initiated to access

WASH Governance and Functionality of WASH Services in Public Schools and

Kanda Cluster of Schools was the target school. There are seven basic schools in

one compound with 1,700 pupils with 68 pupils/per drop hole. Using Community

Score Card Processes, Parents (represented by the Parent Teacher Association -

PTA), pupils represented by 30 children and 6 Teachers were engaged in the final

process of the assessment. Based on the assessment and discussion which ensued

during the interface meeting, there was a general agreement that toilet and water

facilities in the school are not adequate and the quality needs much to be desired.

There were several dimensions with respect to quality, quantity, and level of usage.

This was summarized by one of the representatives of the girls, ‘’Yes, we agree that the facilities are bad. The irregular flow of water in the school toilet, we don’t like it. We need the facilities to be worked upon.’’ Some of the governance and transparency issue raised was how much of the

capitation grant is used by the School authorities for WASH Services provision

including operation and maintenance, what does the school authorities use

collection from morning devotions and what role does the PTA plays in ensuring

Services are adequately provided.

PTA Member Scoring WASH Services Provisions in

Schools

Issues for advocacy and policy recommendation included:

• Increase in the Capitation Grant because GHC150 is not enough to run a school

including the provision good sanitation and hygiene services

• Need for user education to be provided to the pupils

• Every new school building should have an WASH Facilities as integral part of the infrastructure.

• Who has the responsibility of cleaning the school facilities? Is it the children or hired attendants?

• There is a need for the headmasters, PTAs and SMCs to start meeting to discuss some of these issues at hand

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2.2 Research and Advocacy

This programme domain focused on engaging Sector stakeholders and the Media on pertinent issues affecting the Sector. The projects implemented

were Mole XXII Conference, Media Engagement on the Performance on Aqua Vitans Rand Limited (AVRL) within the context of Management

Contract for operating and managing urban water supply and 2011 Budget

Analysis

a) Mole XXII Conference

Mole Conference offers the biggest Multi-Stakeholder annual platforms in the

Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) sector in Ghana. The Platform,

named after the venue of the maiden edition, Mole in the Northern Region of

Ghana, is organized by the Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation

(CONIWAS) and brings together sector practitioners from NGOs,

Government, Private Operators, Networks, CBOs, CSOs, etc. to dialogue,

learn and share knowledge/information on specific themes that affect the

sector. This year’s conference was on the theme “Towards Decentralized

WASH Services Delivery: Challenges and Lessons.” The four days meeting

had one hundred fifty eight participants representing government, NGOs,

development partners, traditional leaders and the private sector. This took

place from 9th-13th August 2011. The conference scope covered Governance,

Accountability and Aid Effectiveness in the WASH sector; Dealing with long

term financing for small town systems; Oil and Gas and its implications in the

WASH sector; Scaling up Sanitation and Hygiene- The CLTS factor; and,

Innovation/New Initiative in the WASH Sector. The conference came out

with many recommendations including a seventeen point communiqué. See communiqué at www.moleconference.org/downloads

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b) Policy Dialogues – Human Rights to WASH Services

On July 28, 2010, the UN General Assembly adopted a historic

Resolution 64/292 resolution (General Assembly ) recognizing access to

clean water and sanitation as a human right by a vote of 122 in favor,

none against, and 41 abstentions. Ghana voted in favor. On September

30, 2010, the U.N. Human Rights Council affirmed the existence of the

human rights to safe drinking water and sanitation under international

law, in what is called the Human Rights Council declaration

Resolution15/9, leading to the Human Rights Council resolution

A/HCR/15/L.14. These two legal instruments combined to make the

human right to water and sanitation legally-binding. The right to water

'entitles everyone to sufficient, safe, acceptable, physically accessible and

affordable water for personal and domestic uses.' The Right to sanitation

entitles everyone to an improved and safe, decent and affordable source

of sanitation. The Council's resolution helps those denied the right to

water and sanitation to hold governments to account.

Two major platforms, one for WASH Sector Journalist and the other

WASH Sector stakeholders to sensitize them on the Human Rights to

WASH issues as well as to build support to reinforce a Memorandum

which had been sent to the Ghana Constitutional Review Committee for

the inclusion of Rights to WASH to the on-going constitutional review.

The Platforms discussed and agreed on the role of the various sector

stakeholders in ensuring that the Rights to WASH is achieved.

c) Sector Monitoring and Media Engagement – Performance AVRL

CONIWAS strategy has been to engage the vibrant media sector as part of its platforms to make information available to the general public and to

help them make informed decision. CONIWAS’ through this process shared its position on the future direction of urban water supply in Ghana, and

particularly, the fate of the Management Contract between Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) and Aqua Vitens Rand Limited (VRL) as the

contract rolled to an end in June 2011. AVRL under a management contract signed in 2006 had a responsibility of ensuring efficient and effective

delivery of water supply to the urban citizenry. CONIWAS called for a non-renewal of the contract on grounds of non-performance in relation to

agreed performance indicators and targets.

CONIWAS also of the view that the new company, Ghana Urban Water Limited which was put in place to perform the functions of AVRL under

the management contract was not necessary because the staff and management were part of the Ghana Water Company Limited. The GUWL was to

operate as a “Special Purpose Vehicle” for one year by which time the government would have put in place a long-term institutional arrangement for

effective delivery of urban water.

The Scope of the Right to Water and Sanitation The Right to Water and Sanitation as stated in Human Rights Council Resolution 15/9 covers the following: 1. Sufficient water: Water supply for each person that is sufficient

and continuous for personal and domestic uses, which normally include drinking, personal sanitation, washing of clothes, food preparation, personal and household hygiene.

2. .Clean water: Safe water that, in particular, is free from hazardous substances that could endanger human health, and whose colour, odour and taste are acceptable to users.

3. Accessible water and sanitation: Water and water and sanitation services and facilities that are accessible within, or in the immediate vicinity, of each household, educational

institution and workplace, and which are in a secure location and address the needs of different groups, in particular threats to the physical security of women collecting water.

4. Affordable water and sanitation: Both the direct and indirect costs of securing water and sanitation should not reduce any person's capacity to acquire other essential goods and services, including food, housing, health services and education.

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d) Sector Monitoring and Media Engagement - WAHS Sector Budget Analysis

As a follow up to government on its commitment to the SWA, CONIWAS conducted an assessment which concluded that government was indeed

meeting about 45% of its commitments to the SWA. The assessment further indicated that the WASH Sector budget constituted about 3% of the

total budget for 2011 fiscal year and donors are contribution a little over 90% to the WASH Sector budget. CONIWAS called to government to put

into action, its commitments. (Reference to Public agenda, 28th April, 2011 and 12 May 2011, also on http://www.washghana.net/page/1101).

As a follow-up to the above call, CONIWAS has submitted a memorandum to the Ministry of Finance to advocate for an increase in WASH

allocation in the 2012 budget. CONIWAS together with Sector stakeholders has initiated a process of undertaking a comprehensive assessment of

the SWA Compact to determine the extent to which the Government and Development Partners are meeting the Commitment in the Compact. The

result is also expected to help the country develop its proposal and commitment toward the 2012 HLM in April.

CONIWAS Executives/Members at Media Engagement on

Urban Water Supply

e) World Water Day (White Balloon Day)

CONIWAS used the occasion of World Water to draw attention of the government and WASH Sector stakeholders about the WASH situations in

public Basic Schools in the Country. The event was celebrated in two locations – Agona Nkwanta, near Takoradi and Teshie Cluster of Schools.

CONIWAS in collaboration with GLONEHDO organized a White Balloon Day to mark World Water Day for selected schools from Teshie-

White Balloons filled with air were distributed to the kids. The size of each balloon signifies the minimum quantum of water required by each pupil

to ensure effective hygiene delivery in the schools. About three thousand kids participated in this programme.

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2.3. Partnerships and Collaboration

Partnering sector agencies, development partners, international organisations, platforms and networks has been one of the programme strategies and

domain for CONIWAS. During the period under review CONIWAS enhanced its partnership and collaboration with state institutions as the

Environmental Health and Sanitation Directorate/Ministries of Local Government and Rural Development (EHSD/MLGRD), Water

Directorate/Ministry of Water Resource Works and Housing (WD/MWRWH), the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) and the

Water Resources Commission (WRC). CONIWAS participated in a number of activities implemented by these institutions. CONIWAS is

represented by its members on the Boards of WRC and CWSA and on the National Environmental Sanitation Policy Council (NESPoC)

CONIWAS has good working relations with WASH Sector Development Partners (DPs) and International NGOs and has participated in their

programmes and projects. The DPs have provided both financial and technical support to projects implemented by CONIWAS. DANIDA,

UNICEF, European Union and CIDA have been a long standing partner of CONIWAS, providing support for both operations and administrations

and projects like Mole Conference. CONIWAS also partners International NGOs like WaterAid in Ghana, Relief International, World Vision,

KASA/CARE Ghana, International Budget Partnership (IBP), SEND Ghana, to mention just a few. CONIWAS work at the national level on the

Water and Sanitation Sector Working Group, National Technical Working Group on Sanitation and Hand Washing among others.

At the international level CONIWAS is still a member of ANEW and participates in ANEW programmes and meetings. CONIWAS also partners

Fresh Water Network, End Water Poverty, Center for Housing Rights and Eviction (COHRE).

As part of its advocacy agenda CONIWAS seeks to influence and learn from platforms. During the period under review CONIWAS worked with

Natural Resource and Environment Governance (NREG), Oil and Gas Platform, Mining, Fisheries and Aid Effectiveness Platforms.

2.4 Direct WASH Services Delivery

This programme domain involves collection and coordination of reports from CONIWAS members with respect to making WASH services

available to people, especially the poor and marginalised. This mainly considers number of facilities constructed including CLTS, hygiene promotion

sessions conducted and the number reached with the service provision. In table 1 below are reports from some CONIWAS Members

Oboomma Rural Action Program (ORAP)

Location District of operation Water facilities constructed

People reached

Is WATSAN formed

CLTS communities entered Number triggered

Source of funding

Kwahu South

600 Yes

Water Aid

Beta

1367

Gamma

522

STRONG TOWER FOUNDATION-HOE

Location District of operation Water facilities constructed

People reached Sanitation facilities constructed

Number of people reached

10

HO

Rural

KPANDO

Rural

HOHOE

Rural

NORTH TOGNU

Rural

AKATSI

Rural

KETU

Rural

2.4 Organisation Development

This programme domains capture information on organisation capacity development including activities aimed strengthening and sustaining the

Secretariat and Membership, training for member organisation, management of the secretariat, coordination of membership programmes and

activities

a) Training - Harmonizing Tools for Community Engagement in Budget Analysis and Public Expenditure Tracking

To ensure that CONIWAS continues to work towards achieving its objectives, and effectively monitor the sector, CONIWAS organized training for

its members. The focus of the training was to harmonize tools used for citizen’s engagements so as to improve on these exercises.

b) Training - Budget Analysis and Public Expenditure Tracking

As part of an effort to decentralize budget analysis and public expenditure tracking to members at Regional and District levels, a training programme

was implemented by selected members who were working public sector budgets at the district level. Members received training budget analysis and

public expenditure tracking. The training was implemented in conjunction with SEND Ghana and was supported by the World Bank

c) Exchange Programme

A staff at the Secretariat went on an Exchange Programme with NETWAS, an equivalent of CONIWAS in Uganda. This programme was under the

auspices of IRC of Netherlands and it is aimed at training African Young Professional in WASH-related issues. A Staff of NETWAS is also with the

Secretariat. The programme which is for 10 months is expected to end in August 2012.

d) Strategic Planning Process

CONIWAS in 2011 started the process of reviewing its Strategic Plan. This end result is expected in first quarter of 2012. The Strategic Plan will

provide a frame of reference for CONIWAS’ programmes and projects

e) Secretariat Management

The Secretariat has not seen significant change in its activities and programmes. However, it witnessed increased in workload with the absence of the

Programme Officer who was an Exchange Programme in Uganda. The Secretariat occasionally received staff support from member organisation staff

3.0 Programme and Operation Financing

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Two major financing arrangements were required by the Secretariat – financing operations and administration of the Secretariat and Programmes of

CONIWAS.

a) Operations and Administration Financing

This was mainly required to manage and run day-to-day operations and administration of the Secretariat and to service members. It included staff

costs, vehicle running and maintenance, utilities, including communication and rent. Financing these expenses was expected to come from Members’

contribution/dues. In the past substantial support came from DANIDA but this came to end in 2010, when DANIDA ended its investments and

support to WASH Sector in Ghana, including support to CONIWAS. The last of quarter of the year presented very challenging times as the

Secretariat found it difficult to meet is administrative and operation costs. This was compounded by the fact that some of the financiers of the Mole

XXII Conference could meet their commitments. CONIWAS was therefore compelled to make up the differences from its own coffers. Another

challenge is that Membership dues/contributions about 20% of the Secretariat Expenses and therefore inadequate.

b) Programme/Project Financing

Programme/Project financing relates specifically direct funding of projects and these, during 2011 came from donors. Consequently, all projects

implemented in the year under review had some level of Funding. Most of the Advocacy, Media Engagement, Governance and Transparency

Projects were funded under the GTF programme with WaterAid in Ghana. WaterAid in Ghana and European Union supported the review of the

Strategic Plan. CIDA, DANIDA, WaterAid in Ghana, UNICEF, GWCL/CWSA/WD, Polytank, and many others supported the implementation of

the Mole XXII Conference. Training programmes were supported by International Budget Partnership and the World Bank.

Whilst project funding helped CONIWAS to implement its programmes and projects, it was limited in terms of support to the Secretariat. With the

exception of WaterAid in Ghana who supported about a staff cost and about 10% of the administrative costs, none of the funders supported the

running of the Secretariat.

4.0 Financial Reporting (Audit Report)

5.0 Challenges

Two major challenges confronted the Coalition during the period under review. As stated above, financing operations and administration presented a

serious challenge to the Secretariat and affected its performance and responses to the needs of members and other Sector Stakeholders. This resulted

in limited interactions with Secretariat including the Zonal Coordinators with the Membership. The Secretariat was unable to collect, collate and

coordinate the activities of the Members at all levels and this was also as a results of funding limitations.