All set for 2026 edition of the Mole Conference
The 2026 edition of the Mole Conference (MOLEXXXVII) on the theme “Accelerating Climate-Resilient WASH Service Delivery for Last-Mile Communities: Options, Strategies, and Actions” is set for November 1st to 6th at the Aqua Safari Hotel at Big Ada, Greater Accra Region.
Dr. Beata Awinpoka Akanyani, Chairperson of the Ghana Coalition of Non-Governmental Organizations in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS), the organizers of MOLEXXXVII, explained that the theme is very appropriate in view of Ghana’s quest to achieve SDG 6—Water and Sanitation for All by 2030.
She said organizers choose the theme as a response to Ghana’s growing exposure to floods, droughts, water pollution, sanitation emergencies, and other climate-related risks.
“At the national and sub-national levels, discussions abound on the real impact of climate change on lives and livelihoods and its potential to inhibit service delivery to last-mile communities,” Dr. Awinpoka Akanyani told the Media Coalition against Open Defecation (M-CODe) on preparation towards the conference.
The CONIWAS Chairperson stressed that the selected theme is timely, relevant, and strongly aligned with CONIWAS’ mandate, adding that it is a clear progression from the MOLE 36 theme because it shifts the conference from innovation, partnerships, evidence, and regulation toward climate-resilient delivery for communities that remain unreached or underserved.
She said the critical challenge now facing the CSO fraternity and key WASH stakeholders in Ghana is to collectively forge a path forward to ensure that universal access remains a reality for all, including last-mile communities. This pressing question forms the impetus for the MOLE XXXVII Conference.
Dr Awinpoka Akanyani said, consistent with CONIWAS’ mission of working with relevant stakeholders to influence policies, remove barriers, and promote access to safe WASH services, especially for the poor and vulnerable, this year’s MOLE Conference will reignite national dialogue and collective action on accelerating climate-resilient WASH service delivery for last-mile communities.
The conference will focus on practical options, strategies, and actions needed to translate WASH commitments into results, particularly for underserved rural communities, small towns, peri-urban settlements, informal settlements, institutions, and public spaces that continue to face service gaps.
Discussions will examine how WASH can be elevated as a political priority through stronger leadership, governance, and accountability; how sustainable and innovative financing can be mobilized to reach last-mile communities; how inclusive service delivery models, technologies, and innovations can be scaled; and how climate-resilient WASH systems can be strengthened in schools, health facilities, markets, and other public places.
The conference will also explore pathways for improved regulation, sector coordination, performance monitoring, public accountability, and collaboration among government agencies, Metropolitan, Municipal, and District Assemblies (MMDAs), civil society organizations, development partners, academia, the private sector, and communities to ensure that no one is left behind in Ghana’s pursuit of safe, sustainable, and equitable WASH services.
Meanwhile, through strategic empowerment of World Vision Ghana, the Media Coalition against Open Defecation (M-CODe) would offer strategic and targeted media coverage for the upcoming MOLEXXXVII Conference.
M-CODe National Convenor, Mr Francis Ameyibor explained that it will leverage traditional and social media platforms to project issues and outcomes during the deliberations and set out modalities to follow the conclusions and recommendations.
World Vision Ghana is also sponsoring the 2026/27 Child Sanitation Diplomat, Nabeeha Sulemana Atia to attend as well as the Ghana WASH Journalists Network (GWJN) and Alliance for WASH Advocacy (A4WA).
World Vision Ghana and partners have also provided sponsorship for the 2026 edition of the Mole conference.
In a related development Mr Yaw Attah Arhin, World Vision Ghana’s WASH Innovations and Partnership Specialist, told the Media Coalition Against Open Defecation (M-CODe) that WVG and partners will participate in the MOLEXXXVII conference.
He explained that WVG and partners would also project the “2026-2030 WASH Business Plan and Universal WASH Service Coverage,” which is dubbed “Mapping the Blue Thread,” which was launched in November last year.
He explained that the “Mapping the Blue Thread” aims to reach an additional 743,000 children and their families with sustainable WASH services.
He explained that the plan targets 23 districts spread across 11 regions, including Upper West, Upper East, Savannah, Northern, Ahafo, Oti, Eastern, Ashanti, Central, Volta, and Western North.
Mr Attah Arhin explained that WVG would engage strategic partners on the sidelines of the Mole Conference on the strategy focus of the “Mapping the Blue Thread,” which includes expanding and maintaining reliable water supply infrastructure in underserved areas, leveraging innovations like solar-powered mechanized water systems.
He said the project also focuses on promoting sanitation and hygiene behaviour change, building local capacity to manage and sustain WASH facilities, fostering community ownership, and strengthening accountability and inclusion in WASH programming.
“The goal is to ensure at least 90 percent of people in each target district have access to clean and reliable WASH services, in line with SDG 6 and World Vision’s global pledge to reach 50 million people,” Mr Attah Arhin explained.
He said WVG is already piloting innovations that speak directly to the 2026 Mole theme, including a revolving financing mechanism known as the “Drinking Water Sustainability Fund” to support repairs and expansion of water systems and signing MoUs with districts like Bawku West, Builsa South, Garu, and Tempane for joint planning and enforcement of sanitation bylaws.
