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Integrating WASH into Local Development Plans: Key to Sustainable Development_Gertrude Meng-ire Mongkuma
Executive Summary: Integrating water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH) into subnational development plans is critical for achieving health and development goals. In Ghana only 44% have safely managed water and 16% safely managed sanitation[1]; poor WASH drives disease and inequality. Embedding WASH targets in district medium-term plans ensures resources and coordination. This article reviews governance, financial, technical and community barriers/enablers, provides illustrative case studies (Lower Manya Krobo – Ghana; Sekyere East – Ghana; Nadowli – Ghana), and offers 6–8 policy recommendations for local and national policymakers.
Why Integrate WASH into Local Plans
Local planning is a lynchpin for achieving national WASH and SDG6 targets. Ghana’s National Development Planning Commission (NDPC) emphasizes that “specific district challenges such as poor access to WASH may fester if not adequately captured in local plans”[2]. District Medium-Term Development Plans (MTDPs) guide budgets and projects; if WASH is omitted, related health and economic goals are jeopardized. For example, only 44% of Ghanaians have safely managed drinking water and just 15.8% have safely managed sanitation[1]. Widespread contamination leads to high disease burdens (UNICEF reports ~1 WASH-related death per hour in Ghana). The NDPC 2026–29 planning guidelines explicitly call for integrating WASH, climate, gender and child-rights into local plans[3], underscoring that holistic inclusion of WASH fosters resilient development outcomes. In summary, without mainstreaming WASH in local MDTPs and annual action plans, district efforts on health, education and growth will remain undermined.
Barriers and Enablers
Governance: Institutional coordination is both a barrier and enabler. Currently, WASH is fragmented across ministries. An NDPC assessment (2023) found “limited collaboration and communication among stakeholders impede policy alignment…leading to fragmented initiatives”[4]. National WASH Sector Working Groups have improved policy dialogue, but engage districts only weakly[5]. Effective integration requires strong local governance: for example, establishing district-level WASH committees or “WASH focal points” can bridge ministries (health, education, local gov’t) and ensure plans include water and sanitation targets. Ghana’s new WASH sector strategy (GWASHSDP) highlights multi-stakeholder planning and recommends inter- and intra-governmental cooperation from national to community levels[6][5].
Financial: Chronic underfunding of WASH is a major obstacle. Ghana’s WASH spending (~US$2.26 per capita) is far below the African average (US$7.03)[7]. District assemblies rely heavily on limited central grants (e.g. District Assemblies Common Fund) and typically prioritize other sectors. The NDPC notes that “obstacles in coordinating resource mobilization…such as funding constraints, donor priorities and bureaucratic procedures” threaten scaling WASH interventions[8]. Lack of transparent budgeting means local WASH projects often go unfunded. Enabling factors include earmarking funds: for instance, Lower Manya Krobo District allocated a surprisingly high share (~20% of its MTDP budget) to WASH[9], indicating strong local commitment when prioritized. Nationally, the GWASHSDP urges innovative financing (public-private partnerships, sanitation funds) and aligning district budgets with WASH targets[7].
Technical: Many local governments lack data and expertise. The NDPC report flags “fragmented data…Sector Information System (SIS) not fully operational…[hindering] informed decision-making”[10]. Without accurate baseline data on water access or sanitation coverage, planners cannot identify priority areas or track progress. Technical capacity-building is thus crucial. On the positive side, Ghana’s WASH sector has produced detailed guidelines and monitoring frameworks (see GWASHSDP Annexes and NDPC planning guides) that districts can adopt. Strengthening district planning units (e.g. training in GIS mapping of water points, integrating climate risk tools into planning) would help translate national WASH policy into practical local actions.
Community Engagement: Engaged citizens are key to success. Braimah & Fielmua (2011) found that “community participation” is a critical factor for sustainable WASH in Ghana[11]. In Nadowli District, grassroots management (water committees, self-help labor) kept systems running, but only when communities were motivated and informed[11]. Conversely, lack of local buy-in is a barrier: in Sekyere East District, researchers observed that “the spirit of voluntarism…was fading away…households’ reluctance to pay [fees]…and lack of accountability” led to failing water systems[12]. Thus, involving communities in planning (e.g. public consultations, school WASH clubs, sanitation action planning) and ensuring accountability (social audits, WATSAN committees with elected members) are strong enablers. In sum, effective WASH integration depends on empowering local citizens and stakeholders at every planning stage[13][11].
Case Studies
- Lower Manya Krobo (Ghana):This district’s 2022–2025 MTDP explicitly listed numerous water and sanitation projects (new boreholes, latrines and handwashing stations) with budgets. Notably, integrated projects paired WASH with other sectors – e.g. building a school block with toilets and equipping a rural clinic with a mechanized borehole[14]. However, planners still missed gaps: no plan addressed groundwater water quality[9]. Lower Manya allocated about 20% of its MTDP budget to WASH, reflecting policy emphasis. (Sources: Mongkuma, 2023[14][9]).
- Sekyere East District (Ghana):In this rural district, a study found local water committees struggling. Despite community management models, volunteer pump attendants dwindled, and few households paid tariffs[12]. As a result, many handpumps broke down and remained unrepaired. This case highlights that without active community engagement and reliable financing mechanisms, even well-intentioned local plans fail to sustain water services. (Source: Braimah et al., 2016[12]).
- Nadowli District (Ghana):In the Upper West, Nadowli embraced Community Ownership and Management (COM) for rural WASH. Braimah & Fielmua (2011) report that inclusive water committees and local “ownership” models led to higher system functionality. Key to success were local contributions (cash or labor), regular maintenance from spare-part funds, and transparency. The authors note that poverty and institutional transparency are challenges, but overall community-led planning improved sustainability of WASH services[11]. (Source: Braimah & Fielmua, 2011[11]).
Policy Recommendations
- Mandate WASH in Planning Guidelines:Ensure NDPC guidelines and MTDP templates explicitly require WASH targets (access, quality, hygiene promotion). Ghana’s 2026–29 guidelines already flag WASH as critical[3]; make this a checklist item for all districts.
- Strengthen Local Coordination:Extend the national WASH Sector Working Group model to regions, with district WASH committees that include health, education and community reps. Formalize roles so that MMDAs routinely engage WASH agencies.
- Secure Dedicated Financing:Earmark a percentage of district budgets for WASH, leveraging the Integrated Assembly Financing Framework (IAFF) to boost local revenues. Encourage donors to channel funds through district-level plans. Introduce a district sanitation fund or rebate mechanism to support rural sanitation.
- Build Data & Planning Capacity:Train district planners in WASH data collection (use GIS/ODK tools) and in costed planning. Activate the Sector Information System (SIS) at district level or adopt simple WASH tracking apps. Mandate annual WASH indicators in District Assembly scorecards.
- Engage Communities:Institutionalize public WASH forums during plan drafting (e.g. town-hall on proposed sanitation projects). Strengthen WATSAN committees with clear accountability rules and funding (e.g. micro-fees or community trusts). Support local NGOs or youth groups to champion WASH in schools and farms.
- Mainstream WASH in Other Sectors:Require all education and health projects to include WASH components (toilets, handwashing). For instance, new school buildings or clinics should not be approved without water and latrines – an approach already seen in Lower Manya Krobo’s plan[14].
- Integrate Climate Adaptation:Include WASH in local climate action plans (as per NDPC guidance) to prioritize resilient water sources and flood-proof sanitation. Mobilize climate finance for WASH infrastructure (e.g. solar pumps, eco-toilets) as part of Ghana’s adaptation strategy[15][3].
- Regular Review and Accountability:Institute mid-term reviews of MTDPs focused on WASH outcomes, linking with national Joint Sector Reviews. Hold district leaders accountable for WASH targets (use social media or community scorecards to track progress).
agendas (SDGs, climate resilience, etc.).
References
Braimah, I., & Fielmua, N. (2011). Community ownership and management of water and sanitation facilities: Issues and prospects in the Nadowli District of the Upper West Region of Ghana. Journal of Sustainable Development in Africa, 13(2), 74–85.[11]
Braimah, I., Amponsah, O., & Asibey, M. O. (2016). The effectiveness of the local management systems of rural water facilities for sustainable service delivery: A case study of the Sekyere East District, Ghana. Sustainable Water Resources Management, 2, 405–418. Springer. (Reveals challenges in local WASH management: declining community contributions and funding[12].)
Ghana WASH Sector Steering Committee. (2023). Ghana WASH Sector Development Programme 2021–2030. Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, Accra. (Framework for coordinated WASH planning, including local participation.)
Mongkuma-Gertrude, G. (2023). Studying the extent to which WASH needs are integrated into local development plans of Upper Manya Krobo District and Lower Manya Krobo Municipal, Ghana (Master’s thesis). International Institute of Social Studies, Erasmus University Rotterdam. (Analyzes integration of WASH in district plans; quotes used in case study.)
National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Ghana. (2023a). Guidelines for preparing 2026–2029 Medium-Term Development Plans (MTDPs). Accra. (Mandates inclusion of WASH and other critical issues in local plans[3].)
National Development Planning Commission (NDPC), Ghana. (2023b). National WASH Coordination Advice Paper. Accra. (Analyzes sector coordination gaps and provides policy guidance; cited for barriers and enablers[5][4].)
WaterAid Ghana. (2023). Country Programme Strategy 2023–2028. Accra. (Reviews Ghana WASH status; identifies budget shortfalls and planning gaps[7].)
WHO & UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP). (2022). Progress on household drinking water, sanitation and hygiene. Geneva. (Latest data on Ghana’s WASH coverage; cited via Mongkuma thesis.)
[1] [2] [9] [14] thesis.eur.nl
https://thesis.eur.nl/pub/75789/ISS_GDP_RP_2023_24_Mongkuma-Gertrude.pdf
[3] ndpc.gov.gh
https://ndpc.gov.gh/media/2026-2029_Planning_Guidelines_for_MDAs_RCCs__MMDAs.pdf
[4] [5] [8] [10] [13] ndpc.gov.gh
https://ndpc.gov.gh/media/WASH_Advice_Paper_03_Mar_251.pdf
[6] washghana.org
https://washghana.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Ghana-WASH-Sector-Devt-Programme-2021-2030-1.pdf
[7] [15] washmatters.wateraid.org
[11] jsd-africa.com
[12] The effectiveness of the local management systems of rural water facilities for sustainable service delivery: a case study of the Sekyere East District, Ghana | Sustainable Water Resources Management | Springer Nature Link
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/s40899-016-0070-7