Dutch funds flow into Ghanaian water programme

Thursday, 10 May 2012 13:52

The Dutch ambassador to Ghana, Gerard Duijfjes, has handed over a EUR 100 million (US$ 129.3 million) grant and financing arrangement to fund the Ghana Netherlands Water and Sanitation Programme

The money will be used to support Ghana’s ambition to provide water and sanitation services to the whole of its population by 2025 and will concentrate on Ga South, Ga West in the Greater Accra Region, and Cape Coast and Elmina in the central region.

According to the Ghana News Agency, the ambassador for the Netherlands officially handed the funds over to Ghana’s minister for local government and rural development for consideration.

It is believed that part of the grant would be used to leverage EUR 30 million (US$38.8 million) to the private sector through Public Private Partnerships, while the Ghanaian government would provide EUR 50 million (US$64.6 million) for the infrastructure investment component of the programme.

The Ghana Netherlands Water and Sanitation Programme, which has a focus on sustainable service delivery, cost recovery, hygiene and the promotion of private sector involvement, has been estimated to cost in the region of EUR 180 million (US$232.6 million).

Both governments have previously said they would establish an infrastructural fund that would allow for flexible use of public resources tailored to local needs and aspirations within the West African country.