A member of the House of Lords in the United Kingdom, Lord Paul Boateng, has underscored the critical importance of addressing water and sanitation issues to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
During his keynote speech at the 2024 UPSA Annual Leadership Lecture, Lord Boateng emphasized that ensuring access to clean water and sanitation directly contributes to achieving multiple SDGs.
He highlighted their vital role in human biology, noting their significant impact on health and well-being.
“We are made up largely of water. That is the nature of human biology and the human condition. The disposal of bodily waste is an intensely personal activity that throws up practical challenges and has very real consequences for health and well-being.
“In delivering clean water and sanitation and a sustainable city, we help with SDG 3 which is good health and wellbeing,” he said on Tuesday.
He stressed the importance of clean water and sanitation in advancing SDG 3, which focuses on good health and well-being.
Lord Boateng also emphasized the link between sanitation and girl-child education, pointing out that inadequate facilities in schools can prevent girls from attending classes, particularly during menstruation.
Lord Boateng urged prioritizing water and sanitation to fulfill SDGs 4 and 5, emphasizing the need for concerted efforts amid challenges such as illegal mining’s severe impact on Ghana’s water bodies.
“In delivering clean water and sanitation we help SDG 5 which is Gender Equality because there is no way we can be serious about girls education unless each and every school has safe and decent sanitary for girls.
“This is because if you don’t have that, girls during their period are not going to come to school. And girls’ education will suffer,” he stressed.
Lord Boateng continued, “If we are serious about girls’ education and we’re serious about quality education and SDGs 4 and 5, we need to take water and sanitation seriously.”
The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has already warned of potential water shortages if illegal mining activities continue to pollute major water sources, increasing operational costs for water treatment.
Despite challenges, the government has touted achievements in expanding access to safe drinking water and sanitation facilities across Ghana.