Accra, March 21, GNA - Members of Parliament on Wednesday called for the proper management of water resources and a policy on harvesting rain to address the issue of water scarcity and make provision for the future.

They said water was going to become a critical issue resulting in shortages, diseases and many other social problems if efforts were not made to efficiently manage the country's water bodies. Members were contributing to a statement on World Water Day, which is being celebrated on Thursday under the theme: " Coping with Water Scarcity".

Mr Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo, (NDC-Wa Central) said people were treating water today as if it would always be available. He called for a national water policy that would help address the management of the country's water resources.

He said it was likely that if water was not managed properly it was going to be a source of conflict in the country in the future. Mr Freddie Blay, First Deputy Speaker, said there were some global reports that water was going to become more expensive than oil in the future if care was not taken to protect and management it. Mr Joe Gidisu, (NDC- Tongu Central) called for a strict check on the environment and the need to educate the public on this issue to ensure that water bodies do not dry up.

Mrs Gifty Kusi, Second Majority Chief Whip, said women and girls were usually the ones who bore the brunt in the event of water shortages and called for greater efforts to tackle the issue of water availability.

Mr Alban Bagbin, Minority Leader, said there was the need for a policy to design and regulate the construction of public building such as schools to ensure the harvest of rain water. Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing, said a National Water Policy paper was before cabinet and some concerns of members have been taken on board in the paper. Earlier, Mr Samuel Jonfiah, (NPP-Ahanta West) who made the statement to mark the day, said with population growth and economic development, the problem of water scarcity had become more acute. He said it was important to note that the mobilization and provision of financial resources was critical to developing and sustaining programmes on water initiatives in order to improve the quality and quantity of water resources.