EWfE Partners with the University of Environment and Sustainable Development to Mark World Water Day
As part of activities marking this year’s World Water Day, Easy Water for Everyone (EWfE), in partnership with the University of Environment and Sustainable Development (UESD), held a student workshop on Wednesday, March 25, 2026, at the Multipurpose Auditorium on the university’s Somanya campus in Ghana’s Eastern Region. This marked the first collaboration of its kind between the two institutions.
Held under the theme, “Gender Implications of Investing in Last-Mile Rural Water Systems,” the workshop brought together faculty and students from the School of Natural and Environmental Sciences and the School of Sustainable Development.
In his presentation, EWfE Chief Operating Officer Harrison Matti emphasized that investing in rural water systems is also an investment in women’s empowerment, since women make up the majority of beneficiaries. “Access to clean water gives women far more than a basic necessity. It creates pathways to better health, restores dignity, and expands the freedom to pursue economic opportunity. That is the change our mission seeks to advance, especially in Africa, where societal norms often place limitations on women,” he said.
Drawing from EWfE’s work in Ghana, Senegal, and Uganda, Harrison also highlighted both the challenges and the successes of working in last-mile rural water systems. He noted that the greatest joy lies in seeing the impact on society’s most vulnerable, especially women, children, older adults, and persons with disabilities.
Key takeaways from the workshop:
Investing in rural water systems has strong gender implications, especially for women in last-mile communities.
Bringing clean water closer to homes helps reduce hardship and expand health, dignity, and livelihood opportunities.
EWfE’s field experience across Africa shows that clean water interventions can create measurable social impact.
Collaboration between EWfE and UESD highlighted the value of linking academic learning with practical development challenges.
The workshop reinforced the importance of student volunteerism and experiential learning in building future leaders for sustainable development.
The event reflected the spirit of World Water Day 2026: Water and Gender, emphasizing that where water flows, equality grows.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, Daniel Ofori Minkah, Head of Community Engagement and Innovations Unit at UESD, commended EWfE for the partnership. He noted that the collaboration adds value to the university’s flagship Community-Based Experiential Learning (CoBEL) program, which sends students into surrounding communities for fieldwork as part of their academic training. He added that the practical knowledge shared during the workshop would equip students with a deeper understanding of the impact of clean water.
EWfE Digital Marketing Lead Benjamin Boateng also encouraged students to embrace volunteerism while in school as a way to gain practical experience and stand out professionally. “Volunteerism gives you the chance to build practical, real-world experience that sets you apart and prepares you for success in your career,” he said.
The workshop strongly reflects the official global theme for World Water Day 2026, “Water and Gender,” under the campaign message “Where Water Flows, Equality Grows.” The campaign centers women and girls in water solutions and highlights the role of safe water and sanitation in advancing gender equality.
