The three-day workshop brought together almost 50 participants from West, Central, East and North Africa who made critical input to the draft Regional Report that will launched on the Africa Day at the 5th Water Forum in Istanbul in March 2009.

The opening session of the Accra consultation workshop on Monday 12, January 2009 was presided over by the Director of Water in Ghana's Ministry of Water Resources, Mr. Minta A. Aboagye on behalf of the Minister. Mr. Patrick Agboma (Country Programme Officer, GHFO) presented the opening address on behalf of the Bank Group. In attendance was Mr. Bai-Maas Taal, Executive Secretary of the African Ministers' Council on Water (AMCOW); Mr. Boubacar Barry, Head of the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) - West Africa; and representatives of Governments, River Basin Organisations, NGOs and other key stakeholders from --- African countries.

The participants made far-reaching recommendations and resolutions that included: putting into immediate action the provisions of the Africa Water Vision for 2025 which is the basic requirement for addressing Africa's water crisis; the urgent translation of the Sharm El Sheik AU Heads of Sates and Government commitments to achieve the water and sanitation-related MDGs; and the urgent requirement to supplement ongoing efforts to bridge the financial gap in order to provide the relevant water and sanitation infrastructure and address the issues related food and energy security. The AWF Chief Water Operations Officer, Mr. Tefera Woudeneh presented the workshop objectives, format and the expected outcomes of the 5th WWF in Istanbul, emphasizing the key issues related to Africa's Regional Process, the Ministerial Agenda and Round Table, as well as the Political Commitments and Decisions for Addressing Africa's Water Security and Sanitation Challenges.

Turkey, Istanbul, March 2009-5th World Water Forum