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President Akufo Addo has announced that government would absorb the water bills of all Ghanaians for the next three months as part of the measures instituted to alleviate the effects of the lockdown on the citizenry.
This is undoubtedly a laudable initiative considering the situation we are faced with.
However, we must be mindful of the possible repercussions of the free supply of water and work together in mitigating it.
Firstly, this initiative is likely to increase the daily consumption of water by households and individuals. Once the consumption of a public good is made free, it becomes an incentive for the consumers to increase their consumption as much as they can possibly consume.
Let's take a look at the following scenarios:
1. Kojo washes his newly acquired Range Rover once a week, to minimize his consumption cost. Kojo may now decide to wash his car everyday since he wouldn't have to pay for water any more.
2. My neighbor whose house is decorated with ornamental plants haven't watered the plants for the past three months due to the high cost of water in recent times. He largely depends on the rain to feed his garden which is not forthcoming. My neighbor can now water his garden everyday because he aren't going to pay for it.
3. My friends- Caleb, Nana Yaw, Agorsor, George, and Atuguba who bath twice a day may now decide to double their consumption. After all, the whether is hot these days.
The combine effects of this "rational" behavior is that, there will be a depletion in the quantity of water available leading to shortages. This phenomenon is described as the TRAGEDY OF THE COMMONS.
Furthermore, it is important to drive home the fact that many parts of Accra are already experiencing inadequate supply of water. In fact my community for instance have not had water throughout last week.
The implication is that, Accra and other affected areas are likely to experience water scarcity/crisis, culminating from this laudable relieve by government.
The Way Forward.
Two recommendations are critical in view of this phenomenon.
1. Firstly, I am particularly happy the president indicated in his address that he has further directed the Ghana Water Company Ltd to ensure stable supply of water during the three months period. However, it is important to ensure that this does not become a rhetoric. The necessary resources required to meet this directives must be made available NOW rather than later.
2. All citizens should be conscientious and judiciously utilize the limited water available in order to avoid the situation described above. To this extent, we must be watchdogs of one another.
Conclusion.
We must continue to recognize the fact that this is a fight for all of us. If Government FAILS we all PERISH. That is why we cannot afford to be cynical, indifferent and lackadaisical in this moment. Every single idea, opinion or recommendation counts irrespective of where it might be coming from.
Thank you.
Samuel Dogbey [Efo Sammy]
Tel: 0543894322
Email: nanewortorsamuel99@gmail.com
