General News of Friday, 24 June 2011

Source: GNA

Rain water harvesting program to be launched soon

Kumasi, June 24, GNA - Mr Minta Aboagye, the outgoing Director of the Ministry of Water Resource, Works and Housing, has said there are plans to introduce rain water harvesting to help address the water challenges facing the people.

He said there is no doubt that this could significantly help to improve the water situation in the country. Mr Aboagye was speaking at a day's capacity building workshop for members of the Ghana Watsan Journalists' Network (GWJN), an organization, which focuses on water, sanitation and hygiene. He said rain water that often go waste could be collected for household use.

He said people would be educated on the type of roofing system suitable for the harvesting the rain water. Mr Alban S.K. Bagbin, the Minister for Water Resource, Works and Housing, in a speech read for him, said the government would collaborate with other stakeholders in the implementation of programmes and activities to tackle water problems. Professor Audrey Gadzekpo, Lecturer at the School of Communication Studies, Legon, encouraged journalists to be kept informed so as to do compelling stories that would enhance the water sector.

Participants appealed to the Ministry of Local Government and Rural development to check the sewage discharge that was contaminating water bodies and making the treatment of water, expensive. 24 June 11