The meeting, brought together government officials, traditional leaders, civil society groups, engineers, and development partners to explore practical measures for achieving water security and sanitation targets.

Mr. James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister and the Guest speaker for the occasion, underscored the urgency of the challenge, describing water and sanitation as fundamental human rights and pillars of national development.

"Without water, there is no life; without sanitation, there is no dignity," he said, stressing that the absence of reliable access would undermine progress in health, education, agriculture, and industry.

Mr. Gunu disclosed that the region required at least 900 boreholes to guarantee reliable access to safe water, adding that the target was an urgent necessity rather than a distant aspiration.
He highlighted interventions under the "Water for All Initiative," noting that mechanised boreholes had been provided to senior high schools, health centres, and communities across the region.

These, he said, were only a starting point in demonstrating what could be achieved through collaboration between government, private sector, and development partners.

Mr. Gunu linked water and sanitation directly to the Mahama administration's 24-Hour Economy agenda. "An economy that never sleeps requires water systems that never fail and sanitation structures that safeguard our public health day and night," he emphasised.

The dialogue also discussed opportunities under the Volta Lake Economic Corridor project, which is being developed into a hub for aquaculture, transport, and tourism to boost food security, create jobs, and stimulate regional growth.

Mr. Richard Kasu, Executive Secretary of the Community Focus Foundation-Ghana (CFF-Ghana), explained that the dialogue aimed at diagnosing water and sanitation challenges, engaging stakeholders, and producing actionable recommendations for achieving Sustainable Development Goal Six (SDG 6).

"At the end of this process, a communiqué will be issued to guide interventions, and we will follow up with stakeholders to ensure implementation," Mr. Kasu stated.

He cautioned that the dialogue must not end as a mere "talk shop," urging joint action to ensure communities without water gain access and existing challenges are resolved. He also identified poor borehole maintenance, technical skill gaps, and lack of sustainable financing as major obstacles to progress.

Miss Lovia Tetteh, Convener of the CSOs Platform on SDGs, called for greater inclusion of women and youth in water and sanitation planning.

"Special planning for water and sanitation cannot be done in isolation," she said.
She further urged policymakers to integrate climate change adaptation, rapid urbanisation, rural accessibility, and community participation into long-term strategies, while encouraging private sector involvement and rainwater harvesting.

Research presented at the dialogue revealed that Ghana recorded 7,653 deaths in 2024, representing 21 per cent of total deaths, from water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH)-related diseases. Mr. Gunu warned that water scarcity would intensify if urgent planning and investment were delayed.

To address the crisis, Metropolitan, Municipal and District Chief Executives (MMDCEs) in the Volta Region have been tasked to construct at least 10 boreholes each to ease the burden on local communities.

Mr. Kasu expressed optimism that with renewed strategies, inclusive participation, and accountability, the Volta Region could significantly contribute to Ghana's national efforts towards achieving SDG 6.