Blue Deal Ghana, an initiative under the Water Resources Commission (WRC), has launched a two-day intensive training program aimed at strengthening Integrated Water Resource Management (IWRM) across districts in the Upper East Region.
The workshop, which began on Wednesday, July 2, 2025, is being held at the White Volta Basin Secretariat in Bolgatanga. It brings together representatives from 12 districts, including assembly members, development planners, environmental officers, and district planning and development committee conveners.
This training initiative is part of Blue Deal Ghana’s broader mission to enhance local capacity in sustainable water management, safeguard vital water sources, and ensure long-term water security in Ghana, especially within the White Volta Basin—a critical water source that spans five regions and 39 districts.
Speaking at the event, Dr. Justice Aduko, Project Manager for Blue Deal Ghana, emphasized the importance of local action in addressing water security:
“Our vision is to think big by acting local.”
He explained that while the White Volta Basin is subdivided into nine sub-basins, Blue Deal Ghana is currently active in the Gambaga and Kpasenkpe sub-basins, covering assemblies including Bolgatanga Municipal, Bolga-East, Talensi, Nabdam, Bongo, and Kassena-Nankana, as well as areas within the Bawku Zone.
“The assemblies are pivotal in local development, particularly in water and sanitation,” Dr. Aduko added. “By equipping planners, environmental officers, and assembly members with IWRM knowledge, we ensure that all development plans integrate sustainable water use before approval and implementation.”
The IWRM framework is essential for combating challenges such as water pollution, illegal sand winning, and the growing impact of climate change—all of which threaten Ghana’s water availability. Blue Deal Ghana’s long-term goal is to ensure that by 2030, more than 20 million Ghanaians have access to clean, safe, and sufficient water.
“You cannot discuss water supply without considering the source,” Dr. Aduko stressed. “If assemblies drill boreholes without protecting natural water bodies, we risk long-term water scarcity.”
Also addressing participants, James Aggrey, National Coordinator for Blue Deal Ghana, highlighted the crucial role of multi-stakeholder collaboration in achieving effective and inclusive water governance in Ghana.
Several participants praised the training for its practical relevance, pledging to cascade the knowledge gained to colleagues in their respective districts.
“This workshop has opened our eyes to the interconnectedness of water management and development planning,” said a representative from the Talensi District Assembly. “We will integrate these lessons into our Medium-Term Development Plans to protect our water resources.”
As Ghana continues to face water stress due to climate change and poor resource management, initiatives like Blue Deal Ghana’s IWRM training provide critical tools for resilience and sustainable development at the grassroots level.
Source: A1Radioonline.com | 101.1MHz | Moses Apiah | Bolgatanga
