Assemblies urged to protect water bodies

Takoradi, Aug. 8, GNA - Mrs. Adwoa Munkua Dako, the Public Relations Officer of the Water Resources Commission (WRC), has urged the districts, municipals and metropolitan assemblies in the country to develop comprehensive plans to manage and protect all water bodies. She said: "Water is essential to human life and there is therefore, the need for citizens to protect water bodies, preserve their sources and make it available for future generations".

Mrs. Dako was speaking at a day's seminar for stakeholders in the water sector, at Takoradi on Wednesday.

She said under the local Government Act 462, district assemblies are the custodians of natural resources, including water resources and the assemblies were expected to work with the Commission to inspect works that affect a water body. Mrs. Dako said, the Commission has the authority to request the demolition of any work including buildings that would negatively affect water bodies.

She expressed worry that most assemblies were not making any efforts to stop the disposal of liquid and other waste into streams and rivers.

Mrs. Dako said it is mandatory for the assemblies to assist the WRC to register commercial water users and advice the Commission in writing on any works that could cause danger to life or damage the natural resources of an area.

Mr Stephen A. Boateng, the Accountant of WRC, said if people prevent pollution of water bodies it would help reduce diseases and increase productivity. He advised Ghanaians against building on water ways and dumping of refuse and liquid waste into the drainage and water bodies to avert flooding.

Mr Boateng suggested that the assemblies should enactment bye-laws and enforce existing ones to restrain people from farming close to river banks and urged Ghanaians to conserve water and protect the ecosystem.