Accra, March 25, GNA – The Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources has called for stakeholders collaboration to curb the menace of water pollution.
“Sustainable water management is an issue for both state and non-state actors.
“We must focus on collaboration rather than competition, innovation instead of stagnation and swift action over delay,” Mr Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, the sector Minister said at a policy dialogue in Accra.
The dialogue on the theme: ” Sustainable Water Management in Ghana,” forms part of activities to commemorate 2025 World Water Day, which falls on March 22.
The dialogue is organised by Ghana Institute of Management and Public and Centre of Excellence in Public Utility Regulations.
He called for enforcement of stricter regulations to protect the rivers from pollution, illegal mining and waste.
The Minister said industries, businesses and local communities must be held accountable for the impact of their actions on water resources to avoid a crisis.
“To ensure sustainable water management in Ghana, we need to implement strategies like policy reforms, institutional strengthening, capacity building, increased investment in infrastructure and technology, community participation and environmental protection measures,” he said.
He said nations that were experiencing water scarcity had successfully implemented wastewater recycling, rainwater harvesting and greywater reuse.
Ghana, he stressed, could benefit from other experiences and accelerate efforts to secure the country’s water resources.
” It is imperative to enhance the capacity of our agencies to enforce regulations and encourage businesses to adopt sustainable water practices through incentives,” he said.
The Africa Water Vision 2025 is to have water resources effectively and sustainably managed to meet basic needs, food security, economic growth and protect terrestrial and aquatic systems.
Ghana’s vision for water by 2030 is in line with the Global Water Vision 2050, the Africa Water Vision and the Sustainable Development Agenda 2030.
The minister said climate variability had induced changes in rainfall patterns and increasing temperatures, affecting the quantity and quality of available water.
Climate change projections indicate a potential decrease in river runoff, which will impact water availability for domestic, agricultural and industrial use, especially groundwater supplies.
Professor Samuel K. Bonsu, Rector, GIMPA, called on the authorities to be proactive and enforce the laws to safeguard the country’s natural resources, especially water bodies.
A speech read on behalf of Dr Shafic Suleman, the Acting Executive Secretary, Public Utility Regulatory Commission, called on all to preserve the water bodies and ensure sustainability.
Mr Evans A. Adjei, Chief Manager in charge of Ghana Water Quality Assurance, Ghana Water Company Limited, said poor water quality impacted access to clean water and sanitation services.
GNA