Liberia Launches Africa’s WASH Pool Fund
By: WASH R&E “Media” Network – The Republic of Liberia has again made history amongst other countries of the West African Sub-region, with the official launch a Pool Fund for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) for All in Africa.
Delegates at the Opening of the 3rd High Level Forum on Water & Sanitation
Liberian Delegation at the High Level Forum on Water, from Left to right, USAID IWASH Deputy Chief of Party, Leroy Johnson, Finance Ministry WASH Specialist, Patrick Sawyer, the lady a Ghanaian Participant, Deputy Public Works Minister, Christian Herbert , LWSC Board Chairman, Dr. Kimmie Weeks &Abdul Koroma, Coordinator National Water Sanitation and Hygiene Promotion Committee.
President Sirleaf’s Proxy at the 3rd High Level Forum
(R-L) USAID-IWASH DCP, Leroy Johnson, Liberia Municipal Water Project COP, Allioune Fall and Abdul Koroma, Coordinator National WASH Promotion Committee
The launch of the WASH Pool Fund took place recently at the 3rd Extraordinary High Level Forum on Water and Sanitation held in the Ivorian Capital, Abidjan.
Speaking when he launched the Pool Fund on behalf of the Liberian leader and WaterAid’s Goodwill Ambassador for WASH in Africa, “President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf”, the Board Chairman of the Liberia Water & Sewer Corporation (LWSC) said the fund is a catalyst in transforming the WASH sector in Africa.
According to Dr. Kimmie Weeks, the Africa’s WASH Pool Fund will greatly impact the WASH sector on the African continent, by ensuring support to better WASH services for all across Africa.
Dr. Weeks, on behalf of the Liberian Leader also called on governments, agencies and stake-holders across the world for both financial and technical support to the initiative.
He also used the occasion to reconfirm President Sirleaf’s commitment for WASH and assured Liberia’s readiness to expedite the issue of access to water and sanitation in Africa.
Dr. Weeks, as Head of the Liberian Delegation congratulated individuals behind the concept of a WASH Pool Fund and urged them to be unwavering as it relates to improved water and sanitation services for all.
The 3rd High Level Forum among other things addressed the issues of innovation and effective mechanism for South South Corporation, financial, technical institutional and knowledge sharing challenges in the WASH sector.
The 3-day event was marked by the exchange of meetings between investors and project managers, and launch of the Africa Fund Development for water and sanitation, among others.
It also discussed operational funding mechanisms for water and sanitation through Public-Private Partnership.
The 2013 Ordinary Session of the Water and Sanitation for Africa (WSA) Council of Ministers ended in the Ivorian Capital, Abidjan with several recommendations approved by the Council of Ministers.
The Council of Ministers also elected Dr. Basile ATANGANA KOUNA, Minister of Water and Energy of the Republic of Cameroon as the new Chairman of the Council to spear head the Council for a three-year term.
Water and Sanitation for Africa, is a Pan African Inter-governmental water and sanitation Agency.
The Forum was held under the theme: “Vibrant and Effective South–South Cooperation to accelerate access to Water, Sanitation and Water for All in Africa.
