NLLAP 103 (Strengthening WASH Systems: The ICOWASH Approach)
The Integrated Community Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene Improvement (ICOWASH) project partners (CRS Ghana) in collaboration with RCN is set to host the 103rd NLLAP event on August 29, 2024, at the Coconut Grove Hotel. The session aims to share the project’s experiences, innovations, and best practices with key WASH sector stakeholders.
The ICOWASH project, funded by the Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, has been instrumental in improving the health and well-being of communities in Northern Ghana’s Talensi, West Mamprusi, and Mamprugu/Moagduri districts. Over the past six years, the project has implemented various initiatives, including infrastructure development, capacity building, and behavior change activities, to enhance access to WASH services.
Key achievements of the ICOWASH project include:
- Infrastructure Development: Construction of 91 boreholes, 10 limited mechanized water systems, 275 gender and disability-friendly institutional latrines, 38 bathrooms, and 35 medical incinerators.
- Community-Led Total Sanitation: Certification of 196 communities as Open Defecation Free (ODF) and 12 communities as sanitized.
- WASH-Friendly Institutions: Recognition of 175 basic schools and 50 healthcare facilities as WASH-friendly institutions.
The event will feature a panel discussion on the ICOWASH models and strategies, an exhibition of relevant WASH documents, and a demonstration of the WinS toolbox, a joint development with the Kom Yilma Project in Burkina Faso.
By sharing its experiences and lessons learned, the ICOWASH project hopes to inspire and guide other WASH initiatives in Ghana and beyond.