By Edward Dankwah
Accra, Oct. 31, GNA – Mr. Seidu Issifu, the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability, has called for collective action to ensure that water remains a source of life, dignity, and justice for all.
He said there was the need for fair and sustainable management of the resource in line with global principles of equity and climate justice.
The Minister of State was speaking at the stakeholders meeting on Just Water Partnerships (JWPs) in Accra, which was jointly organised by the Office of the Minister of State for Climate Change and Sustainability and WaterAid.
The JWPs initiative was launched in 2023 by the Global Commission on the Economics of Water (GCEW), with WaterAid and the International Water Management Institute (IWMI) among the key institutions that have embraced its vision.
The initiative seeks to promote justice, equity, and fairness in the use and governance of water resources such that since its inception, extensive global consultations have been undertaken to develop guiding principles that will shape and regulate the partnerships.
It brings together stakeholders from the public and private sectors, academia, research institutions, civil society, and non-governmental organizations to ensure equitable and just allocation and management of water resources.
Mr. Issifu underscored the shared responsibility of governments, private actors, and civil society to value, govern, and manage water as a common good rather than a commodity.
He noted that the GCEW had reminded the world that water underpinned sustainable development, climate resilience, peace, and social equity.
He said the framework provided a practical path toward realizing this vision by bringing together stakeholders across water resources management, water, sanitation and hygiene, finance, and environmental governance to coordinate investments that deliver lasting benefits, particularly for vulnerable communities and ecosystems.
The Minister said the engagements presented an opportunity to deepen collaboration, reflect on progress, and anchor the initiative more firmly within Ghana’s national systems.
“Justice and equity are at the heart of sustainable development. It was on this basis that the United Nations in 2010 declared water and sanitation a human right,” he said.
“Ghana’s own commitment to Sustainable Development Goal 6 reinforces our belief that access to safe water and sanitation must be managed equitably to ensure that no one is left behind,” he added.
Mr. Issifu said those least responsible for climate change, especially women, children, farmers, and coastal communities continued to face its harshest impacts.
He reaffirmed commitment to promoting the principles of the JWPs, and also to encourage his fellow ministers and sector partners to do the same.
Madam Ewurabena Yanyi-Akofur, Country Director, WaterAid Ghana, said the initiative began with discussions on ensuring justice in the financing and distribution of water resources, particularly to guarantee that investments benefitted not only urban centers but also rural communities.
She said the process had involved collaboration with the Ministry of Works, Housing and Water Resources, who had been active participants in a year-long national and international dialogue aimed at advancing just water governance.
“It is an honour to see that Ghana now has a Climate Office that recognizes and is championing the critical role this platform can play,” she added.
Madam Yanyi-Akofur said through mutual accountability mechanisms like the JWPs, Ghana could effectively assess progress toward universal access to water while ensuring that investments were distributed equitably across all regions.
GNA
Edited by Christian Akorlie