Water Aids Ghana Holds Symposium

...... to mark the UN Water World Day Celebration in Accra

The UN Water World Water Day 2015 celebration has been held in Accra, on the 23rd of March at Trade Fair La on the theme: ''water and sustainable Development'' with an open dialogue on issues pertaining to water, sanitation and Health (WASH) and call to take action against adverse effect of climate change

In attendance were students, Civil Society Organizations, officials from the Ministry of Water Resources, Works and Housing, the Ghana Water Company Limited(GWCL), Water Resources Commission, Water Research Institute, Churches and other stakeholders within the water & sanitation industries of Ghana.

In a keynote address delivered by Mr. Frederick Addae on behalf of the Minister of Water Resources, Works and Housing Hon. Alhaji Collins Dauda points out to the fact that management of water resources in Ghana is very challenging due to a number of factors including threats of uneven distribution within time and space. "Water resources also face threats from rapid degradation, pollution and climate change'' he added. He laid emphasis on the point that water has become pivotal and regarded as a key to the solutions of the future including the well-being of every human even within and among states.

Touching on the theme for the World Water Day 2015 Celebration which is ''Water and Sustainable Development'', he noted was carefully chosen to highlight the issues confronting the management of water resources in Ghana, rapid degradation, pollution and climate change. He said the theme is serving as a call to everybody to reflect on the state of resources and its importance to other vital sectors of the economy. ''It is a call to take action on the best ways to practice water sharing in order to meet the ever-growing demands of water users. It is also a clarion call on us to be more responsible towards water use and conservation'' he posited.

He however, laments the degradation of water bodies due to illegal mining activities taking place in hinterlands between still rivers and streams ''posing serious threats to people's health and aggravates water scarcity''. This, he described as unfortunate development affecting the balance of ecosystem, disrupts industrial growth and energy generation, agricultural productivity and compounds sustainable livelihoods and the education of children.

He disclosed Government is taking pragmatic measures to control such activities and also curb the degradation of water bodies urging the participants to collaborate efforts to address the devastating canker.

Climate Change has brought unexpected flooding and drought leading to increasing competition among users of water bodies. For example, we observe changes in patterns of rains which affect water availability in water dependence sectors such as irrigated agriculture, livestock and domestic water supply in sustaining livelihoods in the Northern Regions and other parts of the country. This, according the Minister is an emerging phenomenon which requires fostering partnerships and co-operation among stakeholders to adapt and promote simple water conservation and utilization techniques.

Mr. David Duncan, a representative of the UN Secretary General in his speech noted one third of the world population remain without access to improved water supply and only children in particular are affected by this, which he said is a health problem. According to him, his outfit has chalked a lot of success in terms of achievement towards the provision of access to improved water supply but ''still have a long way to go in order to provide four and half million Ghanaians with access to improved water supply''.

He laments about 3.5 million Ghanains are still drinking water they are not supposed to drink which most he hinted children are mostly victims.

He suggested that to address the many challenges which countries are faced with in terms of access to improved water, sanitation, health and climate change: "we must work in a spirit of co-operation and be able to come out with ideas and innovation and prepare to share the solutions the solutions that we all need for sustainable future''.

The symposium also witnessed the launch of an initiative dubbed ''Junior Water Prize'' which seeks to reward school going youths between the ages of 12-18 who partakes in any water related projects and have excelled to the top stands the chance to benefit from a sponsored trip to Stockholm in Sweden where they will compete on a world stage for a higher prize representing Ghana.

Four schools were also awarded for their excellent performance in handling water related projects including some organizations whose immense contribution towards the improvement of water, sanitation and hygiene are concerned.

The schools includes: Airport Police A and B schools, South La Estate Basic School, Osu Home School and the Royal Preparatory School. They were presented each with a certificate, a clock and Polytank.

The event was organized by Water Aid Ghana and supported by UNICEF, World Vision International, Ghana Meteorological Agency, CSIR Ghana, Special Ice Mineral water, Ghana Water Company Limited, Water Resource Commission and the Community Water and Sanitation Agency.

The 1-day symposium was organized to climax this year's World Water Day Celebration to educate people and also dialogue on the conservation, protection and utilization of water resources in Ghana.

By Joseph Kobla Wemakor rodaleen30@gmail.com