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National Water Policy paper before
cabinet
Accra, March 21, Ghanadot/GNA - Members of Parliament on
Wednesday called for the proper management of water
resources and a policy on harvesting rain to address the
issue of water scarcity and make provision for the future.
They said water was going to become a critical issue
resulting in shortages, diseases and many other social
problems if efforts were not made to efficiently manage the
country's water bodies.
Members were contributing to a statement on World Water Day,
which is being celebrated on Thursday under the theme: "
Coping with Water Scarcity".
Mr Abdul-Rashid Pelpuo, (NDC-Wa Central) said people were
treating water today as if it would always be available.
He called for a national water policy that would help
address the management of the country's water resources.
He said it was likely that if water was not managed properly
it was going to be a source of conflict in the country in
the future.
Mr Freddie Blay, First Deputy Speaker, said there were some
global reports that water was going to become more expensive
than oil in the future if care was not taken to protect and
management it.
Mr Joe Gidisu, (NDC- Tongu Central) called for a strict
check on the environment and the need to educate the public
on this issue to ensure that water bodies do not dry up.
Mrs Gifty Kusi, Second Majority Chief Whip, said women and
girls were usually the ones who bore the brunt in the event
of water shortages and called for greater efforts to tackle
the issue of water availability.
Mr Alban Bagbin, Minority Leader, said there was the need
for a policy to design and regulate the construction of
public building such as schools to ensure the harvest of
rain water.
Mr Hackman Owusu-Agyemang, Minister of Water Resources,
Works and Housing, said a National Water Policy paper was
before cabinet and some concerns of members have been taken
on board in the paper.
Earlier, Mr Samuel Jonfiah, (NPP-Ahanta West) who made the
statement to mark the day, said with population growth and
economic development, the problem of water scarcity had
become more acute.
He said it was important to note that the mobilization and
provision of financial resources was critical to developing
and sustaining programmes on water initiatives in order to
improve the quality and quantity of water resources.
GNA
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