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Water is the central nervous system in the struggle to create resilient, low-carbon economies to better rebuild from the impacts of COVID-19. Access to water and sanitation for all, which is Goal 6 of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), contributes to the achievement of most of the SDGs.
Yet 785 million people around the world still do not have access to safe drinking water. Of these, 490 million live in sub-Saharan Africa, mainly in rural areas. In Ghana, although the country has made significant progress in ensuring access to safe drinking water, nearly three million people depend on surface water to meet their daily water needs. This makes them vulnerable to diseases and diseases related to water. Ghana’s recent environmental scan report states that the cost of environmental degradation from water pollution is equivalent to 3% of GDP.
This year’s theme for World Water Day is valuing water. This is relevant as many communities struggle to maintain the high level of hygiene required in the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic. Appreciating the true value of water will inspire us to take action to protect this vital resource for the benefit of all.
The availability of water is decreasing over time and the water crisis is on the 5the highest risk to society according to the 2020 edition of the World Economic Forum’s Global Risks report. Ghana’s voluntary national review report on the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development reveals that water availability per capita has decreased but remains above the water stress threshold (1700 m3 per capita) . However, climate change could have a significant impact on the availability of water resources, especially in the ecological zone of the north of the savannah.
During this decade of action, enhance the multiple uses of water, from agriculture to electricity production, including transport, industry, domestic use, ecosystems, fishing and livelihoods, will help turn this looming water crisis into an opportunity to advance sustainable development. There are three reasons for optimism as we celebrate World Water Day in Ghana today.
Growing momentum for integrated governance and planning of water resources
There is growing recognition of the power of better planning and integrated governance of water resources to improve climate resilience. Regulatory frameworks and effective tools for the management and protection of water resources are in place to improve water security. Public awareness and education in water resource management is also growing. The same goes for improvements in cross-border and international cooperation in the management of shared water resources. However, gaps persist in the implementation of these noble plans and frameworks. The activities of many small-scale illegal gold miners – the ‘galamsayers’, whose livelihoods depend on mining – are depleting water bodies and increasing the cost of access to safe drinking water. Protecting these resources requires robust solutions to meet the needs of small-scale mining without compromising the achievement of the SDGs, especially SDG 6.
Ambitious climate plans offer the opportunity to drive transformation
Ghana is currently updating its Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) to raise ambition as part of its commitment under the Paris Agreement on climate change. The ongoing update of the NDC is an opportunity to ensure the full integration of sustainable water management practices. This should ensure efficient irrigation and drainage systems, basin management, wastewater recycling and reuse, and rainwater harvesting in Ghana’s climate plans for more inclusive, resilient and low-emission development. of carbon.
In addition, a transition to renewable energies will reduce the stress on available water resources in the face of climate change. The effective implementation of the Ghana Renewable Energy Master Plan, developed by the government, with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), will promote the development of Ghana’s rich renewable energy resources towards a low-emission economy. of carbon.
Ensuring gender equality in water resources management is a smart investment
Addressing the differentiated impact of climate change on women and men opens up new opportunities to free up time for more productive use. According to the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS) (2018), 21% of women versus 17% of men spend around 1 to 3 hours per day collecting drinking water when water is not on their premises. In drought-prone areas affected by desertification, particularly in northern Ghana, time spent is much more important as women and girls in particular spend an average of 43.5 hours per week accessing water for agriculture. Lessons learned from the Government-UNDP-supported climate adaptation project funded by the Adaptation Fund have shown that investments in water infrastructure can reduce the burden on women and girls. The project, which provided 145 boreholes in 50 communities, benefits more than 40,000 people, mostly women and children, due to their distinct roles in collecting and using water.
Looking forward
The thread that unites “people, planet and prosperity” is the value that water provides. Thus, the unsustainable management of water resources is a recipe for the destruction of the planet on which people depend and, ultimately, our collective prosperity. The recent UNDP Human Development Report: The Next Frontier: Human Development and the Anthropocene ” argues that as people and the planet enter a whole new geological epoch, the Anthropocene or the Age of Humans, it is time for all countries to rethink their path to progress with full consideration of dangerous pressures that humans exercise on the planet. The planet and all the nature-based solutions it provides cannot survive without water and this requires investments in water infrastructure.
In this regard, the new UNDP SDG Investor Map for Ghana has identified investment opportunities in key areas, including sanitation services, for unserved areas. The map also provides business information on investment opportunities in providing affordable solar irrigation systems and hydraulic dams. These highlight emerging opportunities for government, private sector and citizens to advance development by valuing water. The protection of this precious resource and the restoration of water bodies destroyed by unsustainable use offer important investment opportunities for private investors in the water sector.
Water governance must be strengthened at all levels – local, regional and national, to ensure a reliable supply of water for priority uses, especially for domestic uses, and agriculture to avoid possible crop failures. .
The truth is, we cannot live without water, and that requires that water bodies be clean and safe and that citizens have an important role to play. By changing behavior, people can be the key to preventing pollution of water bodies for a healthy environment and healthy lives for all.
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