1 INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT STRATEGY IN GHANA Water Resources Commission

2 ORDER OF PRESENTATION WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION IWRM PILOT PROJECTS SOME OBERVATIONS

3 Establishment of Water Resources Commission in Ghana Act 522 of 1996 established WRC Section 12 of Act 522 vests ownership of Water Resources in President of Ghana  The Water Resources Commission (WRC) is mandated to regulate and manage the utilisation of water resources in Ghana and coordinate any policy in relation to water resources. The WRC protects and manages water resources through resource assessments, planning, and regulation. The water resources that we are responsible for include land-based surface waters and ground waters, and do not include coastal waters.

4 THE COMMISSION  Ghana Water Company Ltd.  Hydrological Services Department  Volta River Authority  Irrigation Development Authority  Ghana Meteorological Agency  Environmental Protection Agency  Forestry Commission  Minerals Commission  Women Representative  Traditional Leader

5 Functions of WRC  Control activities connected with the development and utilization of water resources in Ghana  Monitor and evaluate programmes for the operation and maintenance of water resources  Collect, collate, store and disseminate data or information on water resources in Ghana  Advise Government on any matter likely to have adverse effect on the water resources of Ghana.  Advise pollution control agencies in Ghana on matters concerning the management and control of pollution of water resources  Provide facilities and forum for dispute settlement in an informed manner  Grant Water Rights  Require water user agencies to undertake scientific investigations, experiments or research into water resources in Ghana Water Resources Commission

6 Regulation of Raw Water Use and Development Make regulations for: Use of surface water and groundwater; Protection of watersheds Prescribing acceptable levels of pollution

7 Water Use Regulation 2001– LI 1692 Water permits include:  Stream Channel Alteration Permit - for alteration of the bed or banks of any stream;  Stream Diversion Works Permit - for construction of any stream diversion works in any stream in Ghana;  Water Use Permit - for the use of raw water – domestic, agriculture, mining etc. Exemptions:  Water abstracted by manual means (VULNERABLES)  Water abstracted by mechanical means and used for any purpose where abstraction level does not exceed 5 litres per second  Subsistence Agriculture (not exceeding one acre)

8 WRC Activities Water Resources Assessment (ground and surface water) Public Awareness and Education –Communication Strategy Ghana Water Policy Transboundary Water Governance Driller’s License Water Rights Permitting Integrated Water Resources Management in pilot basins- Densu and White Volta

9 Water Resources Commission Using WEAP for Sound Scientific Decision Rational Water allocation for competing uses, for conflict prevention Avoid overexploitation of the water resources DSS Legend Supply site  Point of abstraction

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11 SOME OBSERVATIONS Water Resources Commission Everybody lives downstream Water Resources Management is a long-term process that requires significant changes in the behaviour and interactions of water users, institutions, and the civil society The WRC activities are carried out in collaboration with data management institutions, water users, civil society, NGOs, etc Water Resources management is everybody’s business –we must build mutual partnerships and understanding-water is life

12 THANK YOU