Abstract

This paper examined how partnerships with communities can complement government’s efforts at improving access to adequate water supply and improved sanitation in urban areas of Ghana, using a descriptive cross-sectional study of the experiences of four communities selected from three regions in the country. The paper concludes that an active involvement of the user community in the planning and provision of such services could contribute to greater equity and financial viability and would, in turn, attract greater private sector participation in the sector. It recommends sustained efforts in information sharing, consultations and capacity building as requirements for realizing an active community participation in the provision of urban water and sanitation services in Ghana.

Key words: Partnership, sanitation, urban Ghana, user community, water, efficiency.