Water critical to infrastructure and construction, say Ministers

The importance of water in delivering sustainable infrastructure was the theme of keynote addresses to delegates at Water Africa and West African Building & Construction 2024, by representatives of both the Ghana Ministry of Sanitation & Water Resources and the Ministry of Works & Housing.  

Deputy Minister of Sanitation & Water Resources, Amidu Chinra Isgahaku said that the Ministry saw the event as a “footbridge” to bring stakeholders in water, sanitation & hygiene (WASH) and building & construction together. 

“One key benefit to derive from such a forum will be the efficiency in infrastructure development that can be driven by the seamless integration of water and sanitation infrastructure and service provision into building projects,” he said. “When this is done, it results in efficient use of resources, reduced construction costs and added value to building projects.” 

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Works & Housing, Ebenezer Mac-Tetteh, director of works, said, “Investing in water infrastructure, including treatment plants, distribution networks and sanitation systems, goes hand-in-hand with building strong and sustainable infrastructure. By prioritising water alongside traditional infrastructure projects, we can ensure the health and wellbeing of our communities for generations to come.” 

Mac-Tetteh also said that the adoption of public-private partnerships (PPPs) by the Ministry presents a promising approach. “PPPs leverage the expertise and financial resources of the private sector, enabling the development of cost-effective housing solutions,” he said. 

The Deputy Minister also spoke about the UN Sustainable Development Goal for water, “This goal is not limited to access to safe and affordable sanitation and drinking water services,” he said, “but also stretches to the need to protect and preserve the quality and quantity of our water bodies for the present and for future generations.” 

The three-day event is taking place at the Accra International Conference Centre, Ghana, 26-28 June 2024. It features a full seminar and certificated workshop programme alongside the trade exhibition. Entry is free, and some 1,200 visitors are expected to attend. 

“African leaders present here are eager to receive pragmatic policy recommendations to inform effective policy decisions for sustainable development,” said Mac-Teteh. “Innovative infrastructure serves as the foundation upon which we can build a more prosperous and equitable Africa.” 

Event organiser Tracey Nolan-Shaw, managing director of ACE Event Management, received a citation from the Ghana Institution of Engineering, which has partnered the event and supported development of the seminar programme. ACE is celebrating 30 years since the first Water Africa event was held in Ghana in 1994. 

Nolan-Shaw said, “We have delivered the Water Africa event across the continent for 30 years, and I am delighted to be back in Ghana for this important anniversary. As always, we have had the most extraordinary welcome and I trust delegates, exhibitors and dignitaries will find fruitful ways to collaborate to push the water and infrastructure agenda forward. 

“It is our great pleasure to welcome representatives from the Ministeries of Sanitation & Water and Works & Housing to Water Africa and West Africa Building & Construction 2024. Their participation underscores the importance of water, sanitation, infrastructure and housing in meeting all UN Sustainable Development Goals in Ghana and across Africa.”   

Water Africa and West Africa Building & Construction 2024 exhibition and seminars are co-located at the International Conference Centre and take place 26-28 June 2024 in Accra, Ghana. For more information visit https://www.ace-events.com. To register, visit https://register.eazytagg.com/sug9. 

Taxonomy

• Water