GWJN outlines policy recommendations to transform water access, governance
The Ghana Water Justice Network (GWJN), a coalition of civil society organisations has issued a comprehensive set of policy recommendations aimed at transforming water access, governance, and sustainability across Ghana.
The proposals come amid growing concerns about affordability, water pollution, and unequal access, particularly for vulnerable populations in the country.
At the heart of the GWJN appeal is a call to make water affordable for all citizens. It is urging government, specifically the Ghana Water Company to immediately halt water disconnections for households unable to pay, describing such actions as violations of the fundamental human right to water.
In a communique issued by the group and copied to The Ghanaian Times in Accra on Friday , the group stressed that these practices disproportionately affect women and children, and thus advocated for a more humane and inclusive approach to service delivery that prioritises dignity and universal access.
These demands were contained in a communiqué issued in Accra recently at the official launch of the Network.
The GWJN also said significant gaps in infrastructure investment, calling on the government to fully honour its budgetary commitments.
The GWJN was unveiled with a clear mandate to mobilise citizens and advocate sustainable long-term solutions to Ghana’s escalating water crisis.
The communiqué also called for urgent measures to protect the country’s water bodies. It recommended the establishment and strict enforcement of Water Protection Zones, alongside the integration of catchment protection plans into national and local spatial planning systems.
Addressing the ongoing issue of illegal mining, widely known as galamsey, the Network advocated for tougher enforcement actions. These include the seizure of assets and prosecution of financiers and equipment owners, as well as the deployment of satellite and drone surveillance. It also emphasized the importance of supporting community-based river guards.
On groundwater management, the group proposed the introduction of a national borehole drilling permit system and the creation of a central groundwater database. It further encouraged the development of shared community borehole systems to ensure sustainable use.
Institutional strengthening also featured prominently in the recommendations.
The Network urged improved performance by the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) in meeting rural water targets, and enhanced regulatory effectiveness by the Water Resources Commission.
The communiqué further drew attention to the widespread reliance on sachet water, describing it as a symptom of systemic failures in piped water supply. It called for policies that both address this dependence and mitigate its environmental impact.
BY KINGSLEY ASARE
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