THIS IS NO NDC, NO NPP MATTER

The international observance of World Water Day is an initiative that grew out of the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED) in Rio de Janeiro, in Brazil.

The UN estimates that about 1.1 billion people in the world lack access to safe water sources and that 13,000 people die everyday from a water-related disease that is preventable. The world body also contends that by 2025, 1,800 million people will be living in countries and regions with absolute water scarcity and two-thirds of the world population could be under stress conditions.

The theme for this year’s celebration “Coping with Water Scarcity,” highlights the increasing significance of water scarcity worldwide and the need for increased integration and co-operation to ensure sustainable, efficient and equitable management of scarce water resources, both at international and local levels.

As we celebrate the day yearly, I will like us to pause for some reflections, especially in relation to Ghana. Is the country really committed to the achievement of sustainable and clean water for its citizenry?

I strongly believe that the current government really has this at heart. In line with this the President changed the name, and broadened the focus and mandate of the Ministry of Works and Housing and renamed it the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing. This was to underscore and underpin the importance that the government attaches to the sensitivity of water and water resources.

In line with the above, a National Water Policy Paper, Hon Hackman Owusu-Agyeman confirms, is before Cabinet. My expectation is that concerns of various stakeholders will be factored into the policy.

Credit must however be given where it is due, and that is to say that much has been done by the government in a bid to provide Ghanaians with adequate and portable water. For rural water, the 2006 achievement statement of the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing has it that between 2001 and 2005, 5,157 boreholes were drilled and fitted with hand pumps, while 854 hand dug wells were provided. In the 2006 fiscal year, 1152 new boreholes fitted with hand pumps, 39 new hand dug wells were also provided. It is important to state also that access to safe water for all rural communities in the country has increased from 46.4% in 2001 to 51.7% in 2005. The situation has increased tremendously in 2006, bringing access to safe water in rural areas to 58.5%.

It must however be stressed that the proper management of water resources and a policy on harvesting rain can help address the issue of water scarcity and make provision for the future.

The careless manner in which we use water as if it is always available just at the press of a button should cease forthwith. Global reports hinting that in the not too distant future water was going to be expensive than oil, should send warning signals to us all. As we speak now, one (1) in six (6) people worldwide don’t have access to clean, safe and portable water.

Proper education for the citizenry to ensure that water bodies do not dry up is vital. This is especially so when viewed against the stress and constraints that people, especially women and girls have to go through to get water in times of water scarcity.

If we are to be in a position to manage with the little water available, we as Ghanaians would have to change our attitudes to the way we handle water and water bodies. Indiscriminate felling of trees around rivers and water bodies should cease immediately. Abuse of clean and portable water usage for the flushing of toilets and other menial tasks should be looked at once again.

Most importantly, the Ghana Water Company should be up and doing. The issue of burst pipelines which are left unattended for days is no news for everyone who has ever lived or is living in Ghana.

After we continue to celebrate World Water Days annually, it is incumbent on the Ghana Water Company and all Ghanaians to help stem the tide of waste in the system. This, alongside the actions and initiatives by government, including assurance that the Tamale Water Project will be ready by August, as confirmed by the Programme Director of the Ghana Water Company, Mr Edward Agyekum, will go a long way to ameliorate our water needs. Works on the provision of portable water for the following urban communities are also on-going: Western Accra, Eastern Accra, Adenta water supply, Kwanyaku, Cape Coast, Koforidua, Damango, Wa, Sunyani, Winneba, Kwahu ridge, Techiman, Kyebi, Berekum and Begoro.

Let’s be guided by Hon Hackman Owusu-Agyeman’s admonishing that “efficient water management practices even by consumers actually lead to a 25% increase in water availability.”

Let’s use water wisely.

Views expressed by the author(s) do not necessarily reflect those of GhanaHomePage.