Ghana is spearheading a new cross-border initiative to address escalating environmental threats to the Volta River Basin, a vital West African water system now facing severe strain from climate change and unsustainable human practices.
The basin, which sustains over 24 million people across six nations, is critical to Ghana’s energy, food, and water security.
However, officials warn that its declining health jeopardises the livelihoods of millions.
“The Volta Basin faces multiple threats that are undermining water security and livelihoods,” stated Dr. Mawuli Lumor, Head of Policy, Planning, Research, Monitoring and Evaluation at Ghana’s Water Resources Commission.
He identified riverside farming, deforestation for firewood, and sand mining as key human activities degrading water quality and availability.
The vast basin spans Ghana, Burkina Faso, Togo, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, and Mali.
In Ghana alone, it is the foundation for hydroelectric power generation, large-scale irrigation, aquaculture, and drinking water for major urban centres.
In response, Ghana is implementing the Resilient Water Resources Development in the Volta Basin (REWarD) Project.
Backed by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and coordinated by the Volta Basin Authority (VBA), the project aims to foster a unified regional strategy.
The initiative focuses on improving natural resource management by establishing national platforms that unite community stakeholders.
These coordination units give a collective voice to farmers, fisherfolk, energy producers, aquaculture businesses, and local governments, ensuring their needs are integrated into broader basin governance.
This collaborative approach is designed to build resilience against environmental pressures and secure the future of the region’s most essential water source.
