Edumadze urges support for efforts to conserve natural resources

Enyan-Denkyira (C/R), Aug. 20, GNA - The Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) is to benefit from 15 million Euros assistance from the European Union, for the provision of large-scale water supply schemes earmarked for the Central and Western Regions. The Central Regional Minister, Mr Isaac Edumadze said in a speech read for him at a durbar at Enyan-Denkyira in the Ajumako-Enyan-Essiam District to mark the 'World Environment Day' that line agencies were being supported to solve the perennial water crises in the Region. He said a project aimed at restoring the Fosu lagoon would be implemented this year.

Ghana celebrated the Day on the theme: "Water - A Vital Resource For Life" as part of a global theme: "Water, Two Billion people are Dying For It."

Mr Edumadze said the government could not achieve objectives of its environmental policies if Ghanaians did not stem the negative acts that degrade the environment.

He expressed regret that although the nation was endowed with about 54 billion cubic metres of surface fresh water in addition to underground and marine water, such resources have been polluted through the indiscriminate disposal of waste.

He cited Korle, Chemu and Fosu lagoons, saying they died because of negative practice such as the discharge of untreated effluents into them, thereby constituting high organic loading in excess of their assimilative capacities.

Mr Edumadze said the environment was for both the future and present generations and called on individuals and organisations to help preserve water bodies and their ecology.

The Regional Programme Officer of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Mr Mbawini Zakari said about 30 per cent and 60 per cent of urban and rural dwellers, respectively, did not have access to potable water.

Mr Zakari appealed to the assemblies to help enforce laws protecting such resources, as well as help intensify education about their importance.