SECTOR ENGAGEMENT & POLICY ADVISORY: THE BEYOND THE PIPE FORUM

Since 2010, Safe Water Network has hosted Forums in Ghana and India. In 2023, Ghana held its 9th Forum, followed by the 10th in 2024. These annual gatherings in Ghana have become a premier water event, bringing together key stakeholders from the public and private sectors to address critical issues, inform government policy, and foster best practices.

By the Numbers

155

Number of Attendees.

2011

Year of our 1st Forum.

13

Number of Forums held in Ghana to date.

Safe Water Network Ghana hosted its 10th annual Beyond the Pipe Forum in Accra, under the theme “Safe Water: The Power of Enterprise.” This pivotal event convened nearly 200 leaders from the public sector, private sector, and development partners to engage in critical discussions on the expansion of Safe Water Enterprises (SWEs) and the strategic delivery of water services. The Forum emphasized the ambitious goal of reaching an estimated 3.2 million people across more than 1,000 peri-urban communities and small towns in Ghana by 2030.

The Beyond the Pipe Forum is not just a platform for dialogue; it serves as a catalyst for action. Following each Forum, working groups are formed, consisting of both public and private sector stakeholders. This collaborative effort led to the establishment of the Safe Water Enterprise (SWE) Alliance. The Alliance plays a crucial role in coordinating the work of implementers and enhancing their engagement with the Government of Ghana and other organizations involved in water services.

The impact of this cooperation is both real and measurable. For instance, our head of partnerships recently delivered a solidarity message on behalf of the Alliance at the launch of the National Water Policy by the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources (MSWR). This significant national event brought together key stakeholders in Ghana’s water sector, underscoring the growing recognition of SWEs as vital contributors to the nation’s water service delivery.

The new National Water Policy is a landmark achievement, recognizing the essential role that safe water enterprises can play as water service providers. It introduces a new licensing regime for non-state water service providers, paving the way for greater inclusion and participation in the sector. Safe Water Network is fully committed to supporting the implementation of this policy, working closely with the government and other partners to ensure its success.

The 2023 and 2024 Forums and the subsequent actions of the SWE Alliance reflect our unwavering commitment to driving progress in water access and management across Ghana, and to contributing meaningfully to the country’s broader development goals. These events also garner a lot of national press:

 

The event generated a lot of pre and post event press.

Sponsors included: Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, the Stone Family Foundation, the One Foundation, Osprey Foundation, Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust, and USAID.

 The Safe Water Network team in Ghana responsible for the 2024 Forum.