Episode 1: How Water Challenges in Northern Ghana Hinder Development – Aid for Development (AFORD)
With 25 years of experience, Aid for Development (AFORD) supports WASH projects in Northern Ghana. Sumaila Ibrahim, the Executive Director, shares how AFORD builds partnerships, hosts health advocacy events, and strengthens community engagement for lasting water and sanitation solutions. Their long-term presence and local trust make them a cornerstone of WASH development in the region.
This episode explores Northern Ghana’s water challenges, where Sumaila emphasizes systemic WASH sector issues like inadequate supply and aging infrastructure. He notes that 47% of households lack sufficient water for basic living standards, attributing this to outdated systems, population growth, underfunded water initiatives, and financial inefficiencies. Climate change exacerbates these pressures through erratic rainfall, water shortages, and rising heat.
Key barriers include limited funding for grassroots organizations, fragmented project approaches, and unsustainable practices. Additional concerns cover urban sanitation gaps, degraded riverbanks, and reliance on mechanized boreholes that often fail to meet long-term community needs.
Social Media Handles:
Website: https://afordghana2013.wixsite.com/aid-for-development
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/afordfoundation/
The HOW: Channeling Water Solutions is produced by W12+ Programs, co-jointly run by the Institute for Ecological Civilization and SOSNPO.
