A looming crisis threatens Ghana’s water security, and unless urgent, collective action is taken, the country may soon face a severe shortage of clean water.
This stark warning was issued by Dr. Justice Aduko, Project Manager for Blue Deal Ghana at the White Volta Basin Secretariat under the Water Resources Commission, during a sensitization workshop in Bolgatanga.
The workshop, organized in collaboration with the Gambaga Sub-Basin Committee, focused on group dynamics and facilitation strategies to enhance local governance in water management.
Dr. Aduko stated that a recent scientific study has revealed a potential scarcity of clean water by the year 2030 if current trends continue.
“Our water bodies are under severe threat from illegal mining activities, pollution, poor waste disposal, and now climate change. If we don’t take conscious steps to change our behavior and protect our resources, we are heading toward a crisis,” he emphasized.
Dr. Aduko particularly cited illegal mining (galamsey) as one of the most destructive forces. “These activities use water and discharge harmful chemicals like mercury and cyanide into rivers, turning clean sources into toxic streams,” he lamented.
The Blue Deal Project, funded by the Dutch Government, is a global initiative aimed at providing 20 million people with access to clean, sufficient, and safe water. In Ghana, the project is being implemented by the Water Resources Commission, which has the national mandate to manage the country’s water resources.
The project targets two key basins—the White Volta and the Lower Volta—with their respective secretariats in Bolgatanga and Sogakope.
“The Dutch Water Authorities, through the Blue Deal, are helping to improve governance, build institutional capacity, and transfer technical knowledge to ensure better water system quality, quantity, and safety,” Dr. Aduko said.
As part of its activities, the workshop drew participants from various districts and sectors and focused on topics such as effective communication, trust-building, gender dynamics, conflict resolution, and decision-making—all essential to successful water management strategies.
Sabastein Salia Yiah, a participant and professional engineer, described the workshop as eye-opening.
“We need to educate ourselves and our communities about how to manage water responsibly. Climate change is real and threatening us all,” he said.
Dr. Aduko concluded by stating that his outfit will continue to build the capacity of stakeholders, including opinion leaders, to adopt protective strategies such as tree planting, eliminating illegal mining along water bodies, and promoting responsible waste disposal.
“Our future depends on the decisions we make today,” he warned.
Source: A1Radioonline.com | 101.1 MHz | Moses Apiah | Bolgatanga
