Ghana Urges Investment in WASH to Protect Africa’s Children At UN Report Launch

Ghana has called for increased investment in water, sanitation and hygiene as critical to protecting Africa’s children, as the continent launched its first State of Africa’s Children Report in New York.

Minister for Gender, Children and Social Protection, Hon. Dr Agnes Naa Momo Lartey, delivered the call on behalf of President John Dramani Mahama at the high-level launch held on September 23, 2026, at UNICEF House on the margins of the 81st UN General Assembly.

The inaugural report focuses on WASH and its impact on children’s health, education, protection and development, and seeks to place children’s rights at the centre of Africa’s policy agenda.

Dr Lartey said the report offers African countries a chance to assess whether every child, especially the girl child, has an equal opportunity to survive, learn and fulfil their potential.

She described clean water and safe sanitation as fundamental to children’s wellbeing and dignity, noting that women and girls bear a disproportionate burden when access is inadequate.

She highlighted Ghana’s Revolving Fund for Sanitation, featured in the report as a home-grown innovative financing model, and called for evidence-based interventions and stronger financing, data and accountability.

Reaffirming Ghana’s commitment as AU Champion for Gender and Development, she pledged to advance gender-responsive child planning, girls’ education, improved WASH, social protection and investment in adolescent girls.

She welcomed the AU’s decision to make the report an annual publication to guide policy and budgets, and urged member states, UNICEF and partners to translate its findings into concrete action.

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