Liberia’s WASH sector convenes for crucial 2025 coordination meeting
Bringing together key stakeholders, development partners, and industry experts, Liberiaβs WASH sector took a significant step forward with its first Sector Coordination Meeting of 2025 on Thursday, January 23. The gathering focused on strengthening collaboration, addressing challenges, and advancing strategies to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 6.
The meeting, which was held in the NWASHC conference room, focused on fostering collaboration to address challenges within the sector. In his opening remarks, NWASHC CEO Hon. George W.K. Yarngo acknowledged the vital role of partnerships in strengthening WASH services nationwide, pledging the Commission’s unwavering commitment to these efforts.
A presentation by Dr. Redeemer Kwawe of Ghanaβs Jospong Group of Companies highlighted the innovation of waste management strategies, including recycling programs and transfer stations. He noted that these strategies could be adopted in Liberia to enhance waste management.
Collaborative efforts underway to improve WASH services in Liberia.
National Tax Consultant Babah S. Conteh, in his presentation, proposed a hypothecated tax model to address funding shortfalls in the sector. His suggestions included revenue-generation mechanisms, such as water extraction fees, industrial fishing levies, and plastic packaging charges, to support infrastructure, public awareness, and water quality monitoring initiatives.
Nearly 97 representatives from various institutions of the WASH sector attended the meeting. Contributions from development partners, including Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and WASH advocate Quincy Goll, emphasized the importance of sustainable water systems, the creation of a national WASH account, and the comprehensive data collection to support evidence-based decision-making.
The meeting concluded with several key resolutions, including:
Revamping the NWASHC licensing and certification process by February 2025.
Strengthening engagement with drilling companies to improve compliance with sector standards.
Expanding efforts to decentralize operations beyond Grand Bassa County.
While challenges remain, stakeholders reaffirmed their commitment to ensuring clean water and sanitation for all Liberians. The NWASHC called for increased collaboration and innovation to build a resilient and sustainable WASH sector.
This first coordination meeting lays the groundwork for tangible progress in 2025 as NWASHC and its partners work together toward realizing SDG 6. The WASH sector coordination meeting is scheduled for every third Thursday of each month at 2:00 pm, a regular forum for dialogue and collaboration.
