Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf talks of need to end water and sanitation crisis

President of Liberia named Goodwill Ambassador at 2nd Africa Water Week

President Johnson-Sirleaf accepting her role as a Goodwill Ambassador for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Africa.

Credit: WaterAid

11 November 2009

H.E. the President of Liberia was yesterday named as Goodwill Ambassador for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Africa at the 2nd Africa Water Week taking place in Midrand, South Africa.

The role of Goodwill Ambassador was bestowed upon Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf jointly by the international charity WaterAid and the African Civil Society Network on Water and Sanitation (ANEW) with support from the African Ministers' Council on Water and Sanitation (AMCOW).

The President was represented at today's certification ceremony by Mr Eugene H. Shannon, the Liberian Minister for Land, Mines and Energy.

The status quo on water and sanitation in Africa is no longer acceptable.  – President Johnson-Sirleaf

As part of the keynote address, WaterAid trustee Agnes Kalibbala said: "Today, in the year 2009, only 26 African countries are on track to meet the Millennium Development Goal for water, and only 6 are on track to meet the Millennium Development Goal for sanitation."

According to the World Health Organisation, every year lack of water and sanitation costs Sub-Saharan Africa around $23.5 billion, or 5% of its GDP. 

She went on to say: "We have been hugely encouraged by Her Excellency's interest in the water, sanitation and hygiene sector. As the first female African Head of State, she has expressed deep concern for the world's poor and a commitment to make the world a better place for all. She has a proven interest in human rights and the plight of deprived communities and peoples, especially women.

"We believe that President Johnson-Sirleaf's readiness to become Goodwill Ambassador demonstrates the profound willingness to move the water and sanitation sector agenda forward in Africa."

In a recorded acceptance speech, President Johnson-Sirleaf said: "We know that worldwide one out of every four deaths under age is due to water-related diseases.  We also know that 80% of illnesses are linked to poor water and sanitation conditions in our developing nations. We must do more to reverse this trend."

She continued: "The status quo on water and sanitation in Africa is no longer acceptable. For as long as water and sanitation remain neglected and for as long as water and sanitation poverty threatens lives and our development prospects, all of us are diminished. The time for words and statements of concern has passed, it is now time for action."

WaterAid and ANEW are calling on African leaders attending Africa Water Week to:

1. Fully implement and independently monitor the Sharm El-Sheikh and eThekwini commitments on water and sanitation.
2. Work closely with international counterparts, including the G8, to strengthen a Global Framework for Action on Water and Sanitation, in order to mobilise international efforts to support African commitments.

For all media enquiries, high res images and video footage, or the full transcript of President Johnson-Sirleaf's acceptance speech, please contact: Ann Noon, Media Relations Manager, annnoon@wateraid.org tel: 0044 7787 414307

Notes to Editors:

• At least 4000 children die every day as a result of diseases caused by unclean water and poor sanitation.
• 884 million people in the world do not have access to safe water. This is roughly one in eight of the world's population.
• 2.5 billion people in the world do not have access to adequate sanitation, this is almost two fifths of the world's population.

Last year, WaterAid provided over US $30 million to fund water and sanitation programmes in Africa and supported 510,000 people to access safe water supplies and 415,000 people to access improved sanitation. WaterAid currently works in 11 African countries, and is expanding its work into eight more.

About ANEW: ANEW is a regional networking body of African civil society organizations (CSOs) actively involved in the field of sustainable water management, water supply and sanitation. ANEW is committed to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) on water and sanitation and the World Summit on Sustainable Development (WSSD) targets on water. www.freshwateraction.net/anew 

About Africa Water Week: The 2nd Africa Water Week brings together through a strong unity of purpose, African countries and UN agencies, civil society groups, the private sector and development cooperation partners, to address the critical issue of water and sanitation, which is a key to sustainable development on the continent. It takes place at the Gallagher Convention Center, Midrand, Johannesburg, South Africa from 9-13 November 2009. www.dwaf.gov.za/dir_ws/2aww/