Prof. Anthony Ewusi, Dean of the Faculty of Geosciences and Environmental Studies at the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), has emphasised the importance of conserving water bodies to promote sustainable water resource management.
He said despite efforts to improve access to water, millions in Ghana still lacked safe water because most of the water bodies had been polluted and could not be relied on.
He noted that 76% of Ghanaians are not only at risk of drinking polluted water, but faecal matter as well.
“This shows we have poor sanitation and unsafe water for drinking. And this account for 80% of all diseases we have in the country”.
Prof. Ewusi was speaking at Stakeholders Durbar on World Water Day, organized by UMaT, Faculty of Geosciences and Environmental Studies in collaboration with Water Resources Commission with support from Gold Fields Ghana Foundation at Tarkwa in the Western Region.
The celebration was on the theme: “Glacier Preservation” which emphasized the importance of protecting glaciers, which are vital sources of freshwater for many people across the globe”.
According to him, UMaT has been celebrating the World Water Day over the past four years focusing on the conservation of water and sustainable management.
He mentioned that the Bonsa River, is the main source of water for the Tarkwa Municipality, but because it is not sustainable, people have resorted to the use of boreholes and hand dug wells.
“This is a worry to us, and the underground water is also diminishing and you cannot depend on it because, those involved in illegal mining activities are also pumping water at the ground for their work and this affects the water level at Atuabo, UMaT Basic School among other areas,” he pointed out.
Prof. Ewusi recalled that a study conducted by UMaT some years ago indicated that the abandoned underground mine belonging to Gold Fields Ghana Limited (Tarkwa Mine) has some level of water in it which can take care of the water needs of Tarkwa Township.
Therefore, he urged management of the company to consider treating the water for the consumption of the people.“Let us use water wisely and learn to consume water judiciously”, he advised.
The External Relations Manager of Ghana Manganese Company (GMC), Wisdom Adjei Mensah who spoke on ‘Critical Role of Local Communities on water conservation’ said water sustains and nourishes the environment and drives industries.
Despite its undeniable importance, water resources had come under immense pressure due to population growth, industrial activities, deforestation, pollution, climate change amongst others.
He said the local community has a role to play in water management in ensuring water sustainability and must develop effective ways of protecting water resources such as rain water harvesting, to reduce dependency on ground water and minimize scarcity during dry season.
He added that the restoration on Ankobra River which served the people of the Western Region should be considered by all.
Abdel Razak Yakubu, Executive Secretary of Gold Fields Ghana Foundation praised UMaT for being a solution provider of most of the country’s water problems.
He wondered why a big mining company like Gold Fields with huge machines and operating with lots of chemicals couldstill treat water from rivers within its concession, but the ones outside the mines had been polluted.
“We are regulated by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to ensure that right thing is done for sustainable growth,” he said.
He mentioned that the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation Ghana Foundation had dug 117 boreholes and more than 48 Small Town Water Supply Systems for the communities in the catchment area.
Also, he said the Foundation had supported the Municipal Assembly to establish the Water and Sanitation Teams to take care of the boreholes and water systems in the operational areas.
“In fact, the teams are really doing well, at New Atuabo apart from the three bore holes we dug for them, they have been able to dig four additional boreholes to serve the communities and schools for free and must be commended and emulated,” he added.
As part of this year World Water Day, the Foundation is launching seven water projects. At Damang we are a digging more than 100,000 litters of water to be spread through all the communities and will be piped through 200 households.
We are doing our best to ensure the communities have potable water. Let us do our best to protect the water that we have, we would come back and discuss this over and over again. We need to preserve our water, water is life”, Mr. Yakubu concluded.
