The government has announced plans to build 30,000 new household toilets and 500 mechanised public sanitation facilities in 2026, as part of its ongoing effort to improve public health and reduce open defecation.
Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson revealed the figures while presenting the 2026 Budget to Parliament, highlighting progress under the National Sanitation Campaign. According to Dr Forson, 24,000 household toilets were constructed in 2025, helping reduce open defecation in beneficiary districts by 12 percent.
Access to safe water and sanitation remains a priority, the minister said, emphasizing its importance to public health and economic productivity. By September 2025, rural water coverage had reached 78 percent, while urban areas enjoyed 93 percent coverage. The Community Water and Sanitation Agency drilled 410 new boreholes and completed 37 small-town water systems last year.
Looking ahead, work will continue on major projects including the Sekondi-Takoradi and Sunyani Water Supply Projects, which are expected to benefit an additional 1.2 million people. Nationwide, the Ghana Water Company Limited produced 351 million gallons of water per day, supported by rehabilitation of the Kpong and Weija treatment plants. The Damango, Bawku, and Yendi water systems are 85 percent complete and are expected to be commissioned in 2026.
Dr Forson also provided an update on urban flood management under the Greater Accra Resilient and Integrated Development Project, noting that drain works in Odaw Basin communities, including Akweteyman and Alajo, are now 62 percent complete.
The government’s 2026 plans demonstrate a continued commitment to improving sanitation and water infrastructure across Ghana, aiming to enhance both public health and economic growth.
