This week’s Constromart Knowledge and Experience Vol. 5, No. 4 featured a discussion on “Ghana’s National Water Policy: Challenges, Opportunities, and the Path Forward,” led by a distinguished Water Quality Analyst, Mr. Jacob Kwasi Amengor. Mr. Amengor explored the evolution of Ghana’s water policies, providing insights into both current challenges and emerging opportunities in the sector.
Mr. Amengor provided an overview of the evolution of Ghana’s water policies, highlighting the 2007 Ghana Water Policy’s focus on increasing rural water supply and promoting community management models. While these models led to notable improvements, they also faced sustainability challenges. He added that many community-managed systems struggled due to inadequate professional oversight, with communities often depending on external parties for maintenance rather than taking ownership.
Shifting focus to the 2024 policy, Mr. Amengor noted that it builds upon the principles of the 2007 policy but places greater emphasis on resilience against climate change and variability. He highlighted that the new policy reflects the current global priority of addressing climate impacts and incorporates technological advancements, such as digitalization and smart technologies, to improve water management. These innovations are seen as crucial tools for achieving the country’s water and sanitation goals in a climate that is becoming increasingly unpredictable.
During the session, Mr. Amengor highlighted ongoing challenges in the water sector, particularly the difficulty of balancing the perception of water as both a social and economic good. He discussed how this unresolved debate has hindered private sector investment in the water and sanitation sector, as private entities often seek profit, which is difficult to guarantee in this field. Mr. Amengor emphasized the need for a sustainable financing model that addresses this balance, making the sector more attractive to investors while still recognizing water as a basic human right.
Mr. Amengor further addressed the persistent institutional weaknesses in the sector, noting the overlapping roles between different entities and the lack of coordination among institutions. He stressed that these issues, coupled with insufficient capacity at various levels of government, contribute significantly to the inefficiencies in the sector. To overcome these challenges, he advocated for a collaborative approach involving multiple stakeholders and the development of local capacity, ensuring sustainability and resilience in water management.
In conclusion, Mr. Amengor emphasized that while Ghana’s water policies have evolved to address emerging challenges such as climate change and technological advancements, there is still a critical need for stronger institutional coordination and sustainable financing models. He called for continued efforts to build local capacity and foster a more integrated approach to water management, ensuring that Ghana’s water resources are managed effectively and equitably for future generations.
