Policy contradictions cause of poor water resource management

Civil society groups working on the environment has said that the inconsistency in government policies is responsible for the poor water resource management.

The groups said Ghana is not reaping the full benefits of her huge water resource potential.

“Policy contradictions of the government have led to the poor water resource management,” the Centre for Environmental Impact Analysis (CEIA), Wacam, the Gender and Environmental Monitoring Advocates (GEMA) and Humanity Focus Foundation (HFF)” said

A statement released by the groups on Tuesday said the current water situation in Ghana indicates that more needs to be done by all stakeholders to foster a smooth cooperation in water management whilst experts have also predicted that Ghana would face severe water crisis by 2025.

The group said the decision of the Government to open up forest reserves for mining operations meant the sanctioning of the destruction of watersheds and by extension the killing of rivers and water bodies.

The statement noted that for example, the Government has granted mining lease to Newmont Gold Ghana Limited Akyem Mine to undertake surface mining in the Ajenua-Bepo Forest Reserve, which is the watershed for rivers such as Yaayaa; Adenkyensu; Alotosu; Afosu; Aprapon and Owonta.

The group therefore call on the Government to withdraw Environmental Permits it has granted to mining companies to mine in forest reserves of Ghana to demonstrate its commitment to the protection of our water resources.

They also called on the Government as well as Parliament, as a matter of urgency, to pass into law the Polluter Pay Principle and give legal backing to all the Water Quality Guideline Values being used in the country.

It believes that Government by doing that would give meaning to the legislation on polluter pay principle; deter people from polluting water bodies and reduce the cost of treating polluted water for urban water supply.

The group said there was the need for stakeholders, particularly the Government; civil society; media; academia/research institutions and the country’s Development Partners to commit themselves to the imperative of water quality and availability for all citizens of Ghana especially the urban poor by 2015.