By: Jones Anlimah
Stakeholders have emphasized the urgent need for multi-stakeholder collaboration, community participation, and research-based interventions to address Ghana’s growing water and environmental challenges.
The call was made during a Sustainable Partnership Workshop, organized by the Desert Research Institute in partnership with Eastern and Volta regional coordinating councils, the Environmental protection authority, the Ghana Water Resources Commission and the Ghana Water Company Limited.
The event brought together 35 participants from 27 African countries to discuss solutions to water pollution, over-extraction, and environmental degradation.
The workshop stressed the importance of strong institutional partnerships, policy reforms, and technological innovations in ensuring water security and environmental sustainability.
Dr. Braimah Apambire, Ph.D., Senior Assistant to the President for Global Sustainability Initiatives and Senior Director at the Center for International Water and Sustainability, highlighted the Desert Research Institute’s commitment to partnering with Ghanaian institutions to tackle environmental degradation. “We wanted to discuss with our colleagues in Ghana the Desert Research Institute’s capability in researching some of these pressing issues.
Additionally, we seek to create a partnership between DRI and relevant institutions in Ghana to explore solutions to galamsey, water stability, and land degradation,” Dr. Apambire stated.
Dr. Ato Quansah, Director for Partnerships at the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), painted a concerning picture of Ghana’s water crisis, noting that the country’s population has tripled since 1975, causing a surge in water demand while available water resources continue to deteriorate.
“From 1975 to now, the population of the country has tripled, and this brings to bear new water demand, which has almost doubled. Meanwhile, our water resources continue to deteriorate. We need to come together, along with our partners, to plan for the future,” Dr. Quansah stressed.
He emphasized the need for an innovative approach to protect water bodies by incentivizing those living upstream to engage in conservation efforts. “Instead of simply enforcing laws, we must consider a model where those within riparian buffer zones—areas close to water bodies—are incentivized to conserve land. This can be integrated into water bills, creating a sinking fund that ensures a win-win situation for all stakeholders,” he explained.
The Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to sustainable water management and climate resilience.
“Our government remains committed to investing in climate resilience, sustainable water supply, and environmental protection. The NDC Manifesto prioritizes water accessibility, sanitation, and climate change adaptation as key development areas,” he stated.
Highlighting the Volta Region’s major water bodies, including the Volta River, Keta Lagoon, and Dayi River, Mr. Gunu stressed the need for proactive measures to prevent pollution and environmental degradation. “We must ensure that these vital resources are protected from pollution, over-extraction, and environmental harm. This requires multi-stakeholder engagement, community participation, and research-based interventions—exactly what today’s program aims to achieve,” he emphasized.
Participants were urged to strengthen their commitment to institutional collaboration, community engagement, and innovative strategies to safeguard Ghana’s water resources and ensure sustainable environmental management for future generations.
