Bongo women petition district assembly for healthcare WASH funding

A group of women in the Bongo District of the Upper East Region has formally petitioned the Bongo District Assembly to demand increased budgetary allocations for Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) services in local healthcare facilities. Presented by Hannah Talata Asanyuu-re, the petition highlights a critical need to enhance infrastructure to improve infection prevention, patient safety, and the overall quality of healthcare delivery across the district.

The advocates argue that the current state of WASH facilities is inadequate, directly undermining maternal health and infection control efforts. They noted that the lack of reliable access to safe water and sufficient toilet facilities creates significant challenges for healthcare workers and patients alike. According to the petition, children, pregnant women, and persons with disabilities are disproportionately affected by these deficiencies, as many existing services fail to meet the specific physical and hygiene needs of vulnerable groups.

This collective action was supported by WaterAid Ghana as part of the Time to Deliver Global Week of Action. The women emphasized that during various community planning consultations, WASH was repeatedly identified as a primary development priority by residents. Despite this, they contend that the corresponding financial investment from the local assembly has not yet reached the levels necessary to sustain and maintain these essential services.

The group is now urging the Bongo District Assembly to incorporate specific, funded WASH interventions into its medium-term development plans and annual budgets. They have also called for a mechanism of transparency, requesting regular updates on budget allocations and the progress of WASH-related projects. By doing so, the petitioners aim to foster greater community participation and ensure that local authorities remain accountable for the provision of basic hygiene and sanitation in public health institutions.