An 8-Member Steering Committee has been inaugurated for the implementation of the Tamale Water Fund spearheaded by the Catholic Relief Services (CRS).
The committee is expected to offer overall policy guidance and direction, raise potential opportunities to meet the financial and water security goals of Tamale and its adjoining areas.
The committee members are selected from various institutions and agencies with a mandate and expertise in the water supply value-chain including environmental protection and ecosystem restoration.
Carolyn Edlebeck, Head of Programs of the Catholic Relief Services in speech presented on behalf of the Country Representative said the Steering Committee is expected to serve as the decision-making body to guide the next phase of the Water Fund project to achieve the goal of ensuring water security for the Tamale Metropolis and its environs.
She explained the establishment of a Water Fund for Tamale aims to facilitate source water protection at the Nawuni sub-catchment and the entire White Volta Basin and developing a sustainable development pathway within the basin using nature-based solutions or green infrastructure.
She added the Tamale Water Fund would serve as a sustainable source of funding towards high-impact restoration and conservation projects in the watershed – consistent with the policy action in the NWP that seeks to promote the protection and conservation of water resources using cleaner and efficient technologies.
However, the CRS Head of Programs observed the main water security risk affecting access to safe and adequate water in Tamale and the neighboring communities is siltation of the White Volta River which she posited results from widespread sand mining activities, deforestations, and climate change among others.
Therefore, she intimated the CRS, the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) and The Nature Conservancy (TNC) share a commitment to collaborate with key stakeholders and partners to ensure the sustainability of our communities and their relationship to the local environment.
Meanwhile, the Northern Regional Minister, Alhaji Shani Alhassan Shaibu in a statement read on his behalf said the government of Ghana is committed to meeting the universal water coverage by 2030 in line with the sustainable development goal 6. This commitment he indicated has been stated on the government’s bold “Water for all Agenda”.
He disclosed the government since 2019 has undertaken a number of interventions within the Urban Water Space to expand the access to water.
“The recent commitment to undertake the construction and expansion of water abstraction and treatment plants in Yendi, Damongo and Yapei, as well as the construction of the pwalugu multi-purpose dam, are some of the several key investment government is making to improve upon the water supply situation” the Minister emphasized, adding that the government believes investments to improve water security challenges will help enhance human dignity, while reducing expenses and the burden on health systems.
