WaterAid at Africa Water Week, Day 3 - it's official!

It's official!

At a very special certification ceremony at Africa Water Week last night, Her Excellency the President of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, was recognised as a Goodwill Ambassador for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene in Africa.

WaterAid and the African Civil Society Network on Water and Sanitation (ANEW), with the support of the African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW), have been building towards this moment for several months and we couldn't have hoped for a better reception.

Following opening remarks by the AMCOW President and several of the keynote speakers, the President — in a pre-recorded acceptance speech — was very clear about the need to tackle the continent's water and sanitation crisis: "The status quo on water and sanitation in Africa is no longer acceptable," she said.

"For as long as water and sanitation remain neglected and for as long as water and sanitation poverty threatens lives and our development prospects, all of us are diminished. The time for words and statements of concern has passed. It is now time for action."

The Liberian Minister for Land, Mines and Energy, Mr. Eugene H. Shannon, who accepted the Goodwill Ambassador certificate on behalf of the President, told the audience: "She wants me to assure you that she accepts the challenges associated with this position."



By accepting the role of Goodwill Ambassador, President Johnson-Sirleaf will champion the issue of safe water sanitation and hygiene education for all, both within Africa and internationally, and help keep it at the top of the development agenda.

The day also saw an excellent presentation on Community-Led Total Sanitation (CLTS) in West Africa by Idrissa Doucoure, Head of the New Initiatives Unit at WaterAid, as part of the Closing the Sanitation Gap session, followed by a panel discussion in which Ada Oko-Williams, Regional Learning Centre Coordinator at WaterAid Nigeria, played an active role. The impact of a lack of water on people's lives was stressed again in a performance by a local drama group.

Overall, another very successful day at Africa Water Week, with a strong WaterAid presence and voice. Look out for the next installment tomorrow.

Read WaterAid's news story about Her Excellency the President of Liberia's new role

See pictures of the presentation ceremony on Twitpic