UE/R: THE WATER RESOURCE COMMISSION ENGAGE THE MEDIA TO DRIVE COMMUNITY-LED WATER MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES WITHIN THE VOLTA BASIN

BY: ATUIMAH VALERIUS

The Water Resources Commission (WRC) in Ghana’s Upper East Region is actively tackling water and sanitation issues through a strategic, area-oriented approach, focusing on water governance and capacity building. The commission’s efforts, undertaken under the Blue Deal project, aim to provide clean, safe, and sufficient water for the communities under the White Vola Basin.

Key Initiatives and Projects
A central component of the WRC and Blue Deal project is the implementation of an Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) plan. This plan serves as a roadmap for addressing water-related challenges in the White Volta Sub-Basin. Some of the key activities being undertaken include:

• Capacity Building and Training: The WRC provides IWRM training for the Volta Basin Board and offers capacity-building programs for traditional authorities in the Bongo area. This empowers local leaders to take ownership of water management issues.
• Community Engagement: The commission engages with local communities on good agronomic practices and climate-smart agriculture to improve livelihoods and boost agricultural production. This dual approach ensures that water management is not a standalone effort but is linked to the well-being of the people. The engagement process also involves surveys and meetings to identify specific water issues and potential interventions at the local level.
• Reforestation Projects: In partnership with other government agencies and other Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), the WRC has established community tree nurseries and is carrying out Reforestation Projects. These initiatives address the looming water crisis and emphasize the importance of trees in providing water and clean air.
• Innovative Water Treatment: A flagship project is the Gowrie Grey Water Treatment Project, an initiative the commission hopes to replicate across the region. This project aims to treat wastewater for reuse, reducing waste and providing a source of water for purposes other than drinking.

Collaborative and Inclusive Approach
The WRC recognizing that a top-down approach is not effective for sustainable water management. Instead, it prioritizes a “win-win situation for everybody” where no environmental component is compromised. To achieve this, the commission actively collaborates with various stakeholders, including:

• Media: The WRC views the media as a crucial partner in its efforts. Journalists, editors, and other media professionals act as a bridge between decision-makers and communities, helping to communicate water challenges and interventions in a way that resonates with the local population. The WRC believes that the media’s support is essential for the success of these interventions, as they can effectively convey the importance of water management and get the community to “buy in” to the ideas.
• Traditional Authorities: The commission works with traditional leaders to communicate initiatives to the local people. The chiefs’ influence helps to foster community support for projects.
• Other Institutions: The WRC forges partnerships with other institutions, such as the Forestry Commission, Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), District and Municipal Assemblies, to implement projects like the community tree nursery and reforestation efforts. This collaborative model extends to knowledge exchange with different stakeholders to ensure a holistic approach to water governance.

Addressing Challenges and Future Outlook
The WRC acknowledges that community-level initiatives face challenges, such as a lack of resources and widespread support. For example, in reforestation efforts, communities may welcome the initiative but fail to maintain the trees, sometimes due to certain expectations of the WRC. The commission addresses this by emphasizing the importance of sustainable practices, such as using household wastewater for trees, and by educating people on the inherent value of trees beyond immediate material benefits. The WRC is also exploring motivational strategies, such as running competitions, to encourage sustained community participation.

Looking ahead, the WRC plans to continue its focus on the Kpasemkpe Sub-Basin while also considering expanding its successful projects, such as the Grey Water Treatment system, to other areas like Bongo Senior High School. The commission’s broader vision is to ensure water management and governance are not just a mandate but a shared responsibility, with every individual and institution playing a role in protecting this critical resource.