By: Franklin ASARE-DONKOH
The 37th edition of the MOLE Conference opened with a call to Accelerate Climate-Resilient WASH Service Delivery for Last-Mile Communities. The message took centre stage as the 37th annual MOLE Conference (MOLE XXXVII) which kicked off officially at Aqua Safari in Ada.
Bringing together government officials, sector experts, civil society and media, the flagship event opened with a rallying cry: “Accelerate Climate-Resilient WASH Service Delivery for Last-Mile Communities.”
Organised by the Ghana Coalition of Non-Governmental Organisations in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS), this year’s conference targets the most vulnerable populations who bear the brunt of climate change and poor infrastructure.
The climate crisis is no longer a distant threat; it is a water and sanitation emergency. In many cases, the climate crisis is primarily experienced through water—manifesting as extreme floods, severe droughts, and declining water quality that directly disrupt Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) systems.
According to the IFRC Water Security Portal, investing in resilient WASH services (like solar-powered boreholes and rainwater harvesting) is one of the most effective ways to lower climate vulnerability which has been yielding high returns on community health and stability
Traditional leaders from the Ada Paramountcy set the tone for the week, reminding delegates that delayed action directly translates into compromised health, loss of dignity and also contribute to poverty for underserved rural areas.
Over the next six days, stakeholders are diving into a high-stakes, four-part agenda:
• Political Will: Elevating WASH to a top-tier national governance and accountability priority.
• Climate Defense: Upgrading infrastructure in schools and hospitals to withstand severe climate shocks.
• Smart Financing: Unlocking innovative private sector funding to bridge the investment gap.
• Local Innovation: Deploying cutting-edge, equitable technologies tailored for hard-to-reach areas.
The annual MOLE conference is not just a talk shop; it is a critical launchpad for actionable policy shifts. With the clock ticking on global sustainability goals. The Ada gathering is where promises must finally transform into pipes, toilets, and climate-proof relief for the communities that need them most.
