Ghana

Twenty-five years of economic decline has led to worsening health conditions in many parts of Ghana.

Credit: WaterAid / Caroline Penn

Ghana, a tropical country situated on the west coast of Africa, is one of the most densely populated in the region.

When it regained its independence in 1957 it was one of the richest nations in Africa - it produced a tenth of the world's gold and was a leading cocoa exporter. However, following an optimistic start Ghana suffered a series of setbacks including coups, food shortages and corruption that led to years of economic decline.

Since 1993, when a new constitution was adopted and political parties were able to form, the country has become more stable. Freedom of speech and a vibrant press are now helping to deepen the country's democracy. It is now seen as a model for political and economic reform in Africa.

Yet, despite this, it is very poor and heavily indebted. The three northern regions are particularly deprived with one in ten children dying before their fifth birthday.

Watch a video about life in Ghana

WaterAid in Ghana

We have worked in Ghana since 1985 and during this time have developed strong links with both policy makers and eight local partner non governmental organisations (NGOs). These partners carry out the day to day management of water, sanitation and hygiene education projects in six out of ten of the country's regions. This work is vital as inadequate water supply and sanitation services contribute to over 70% of diseases in Ghana, costing the country significantly in terms of healthcare and productivity.

For more information visit the Ghana site

WaterAid's work in Ghana has helped over 50,000 people per year over the last five years.

Credit: WaterAid / Caroline Penn

WaterAid and its partners work with some of Ghana's poorest people to help improve their access to water sanitation and to promote good hygiene.

Although nationally over 70% of the population have access to safe water, this masks inequalities between rural and urban areas. The national figure for access to sanitation, meanwhile, is still only in the high teens.

All of our projects in Ghana use technologies that are appropriate to local conditions, affordable for even the poorest in society and easy to maintain. To ensure there are long term benefits communities are encouraged to take responsibility for their projects. They are involved in all stages of the work, from the planning through to the building, maintenance and management.

For water supplies, the programme focuses on hand-dug wells where water is either lifted using a rope pump or a Nira handpump. Improved sanitation is promoted through the use of ventilated improved pit latrines, while village health coordinators help others in their communities to learn about good hygiene.

In the city of Tamale our partners also look at ways of preventing the spread of trachoma, a preventable blindness mainly caused by contaminated water and poor hygiene, and guinea worm - a painful disease that affects people through contaminated water. Along with safe water and sanitation facilities nylon water filters are distributed to help stop the spread of guinea worm.

WaterAid helps its partners to develop and grow into independent organisations which then contribute to the wider water and sanitation debates. WaterAid offers its partners financial support, training and technical advice as well as assistance with planning, budgeting and institutional development.

Download the Ghana country information sheet
( PDF 320K)