The leadership of the National Democratic Party (NDP) has tasked government to seriously tackle the current water shortage in the country.

NDP, in commemoration of this year’s International World Water Day, which falls on March 22, called on government to invest in urban and community water management services instead of focusing on rLG’s Hope City Project.

“We urge Government to invest taxpayers’ money into urban and community water management services and build capacity for the staff to drive innovation, resulting in more efficient, cost-effective, environmentally sustainable water systems,” a statement issued by the Communication Directorate of the NDP said.

The political party, which is under the leadership of the former First Lady, Nana Konadu Agyeman Rawlings, wants the entire country to treat water “as if it is our only property".

“Many citizens offer absolute maintenance of their vehicles and mansions and do all to acquire best grades in education but can we imagine a huge mansion with no water or a vehicle with no water in its radiator tank or an educational institution with no water for drinking, bathing and cooking. Therefore if anything needs high priority protection, availability and maintenance then it must be water," she said.

Each year, huge sums of money is used to import chemicals to treat water which have been recklessly polluted as a result of illegal mining activities in water bodies and irresponsible discharge of human waste, among others.

According to the United Nations (UN), World Water Day is held annually to focus attention on the importance of freshwater and sustainable management of freshwater resources.