STATUS OF INTEGRATED WATER RESOURCES MANAGEMENT IN GHANA
(1999- 2007)

Background
The main aim of introducing the concept of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) is to promote a change from unsustainable to sustainable water resource management by widening the analytic framework and by inviting all stakeholders to participate in the management of the resource.
In Ghana a number of reviews were undertaken in the 1990s related to the functioning of the water sector, delegation of responsibilities etc. However, the resulting reforms remained sector specific with each sector agency planning, controlling and regulating its own activities with respect to water management with little effort exercised towards coordinating initiatives. Subsequent reviews identified the institutional shortfalls, which to a large extent impeded proper coordination and integration of the various sector policies for water use in the country.
A significant step was taken to address the diffused state of functions and authority in the water resources sector with the creation of the Water Resources Commission (WRC) through an Act of Parliament (Act 522 of 1996). The WRC, which - among other tasks - facilitates and oversees that Ghana adopts an integrated, cross-sectoral, river basin anchored (decentralized) approach to water resources management has initiated a number of activities and ‘kick-started’ processes towards this objective.
The composition of the WRC is made up of representatives of all main stakeholder groups and sectors involved in water resources, i.e. hydrological services, water supply, irrigation development, water research, environmental protection, forestry, minerals, customary authorities, the NGO community and women interests. A Secretariat - the technical arm of WRC - is responsible for implementing the decisions of the WRC.

Status of IWRM implementation
Ghana’s experience with IWRM is still evolving, and “lessons learnt” with interpretation of the concept and application of the principles in practice are gradually being expanded countrywide and introduced in various sector-related policies, plans and programs. The status related to introduction and “mainstreaming” of IWRM at central, at river basin and at district levels can be summarized as follows:

• Since it started operating in 1999, the Water Resources Commission has moved from being a young entity to its present appearance of a fully functioning organisation with basin-based (support) offices being added on.
• A system for water use regulations and procedures for the issuance of rights to water abstractions by means of permits (licenses) were developed by the WRC and enacted by Parliament in 2001 (LI 1692).
• A financial instrument has been created – the Water Resources Management Account – in which the proceeds from raw water abstraction charges and other related fees are lodged. The name of the account indicates that these funds are being used for water resource management activities and to support the operations of WRC. The past few years have seen a marked improvement in the revenue thus collected and spent with a reduced dependence on external funding as a result.
• Monitoring of major water abstractors is routinely done by WRC, and modalities to involve institutions at Basin Board/District Assembly level in compliance monitoring is being worked out. Furthermore, a register of permit holders (major water users) is regularly updated and made public in the print media.
• Regulations governing drilling operations and groundwater development were prepared and enacted as LI 1827 of 2006.
• A water resources policy was developed in 2002, which focused on an integrated approach to water resources management. The policy has since been consolidated with other key water sector policies into a comprehensive National Water Policy, which was approved by Cabinet in July 2007.
• A Buffer Zone Policy to enhance the conservation of river catchments by introducing potential land strips/areas along the open water bodies (rivers and lakes) is under preparation, which will be followed by introducing legislative regulations in support of the policy.
• The Densu River Basin was selected as the first pilot basin to test capacity building, participation and public awareness strategies and water resources planning within a decentralised administrative framework with the river basin as the unit for planning. A Densu Basin Board was established and officially inaugurated in Koforidua in March 2004. Subsequently, based on the experience gained from the Densu Basin, similar activities have been spearheaded in two other priority basins with a White Volta River Basin Board inaugurated in Bolgatanga in June 2006, whereas the activities in the Ankobra River Basin has reached a stage where a WRC basin office is under establishment in Tarkwa.
• A decision support tool (based on the WEAP modeling system) has been developed for water resources assessment and water allocation planning at river basin level.
• An IWRM Plan for Densu River Basin has been elaborated, which now serves as a “blue print” for the further water resource management activities in the basin. During the process of preparing the IWRM Plan, “tools” for introducing Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) principles have been applied. Preparation for similar IWRM plans for the White Volta and Ankobra river basins has been initiated.
• A public awareness and education program with different focus areas according to the segments of the public and District Assemblies’ staff to be addressed has been developed by WRC and being implemented. These activities are being guided by the WRC Communication Strategy prepared in 2004.
• Transboundary water issues and sharing of international waters are being addressed under a special unit of WRC. Early 2007, the establishment of the Volta Basin Authority with headquarters in Ouagadougou became a reality after several years of preparation.
• A Water Resources Information Services (WRIS) project was implemented during the period 1998-2003, particularly targeting the capacity of data providers and research institutions for improved data collection networks and assessment techniques. These institutions are the Hydrological Services Department, the Water Research Institute under CSIR and the Ghana Meteorological Agency. Collaboration has been consolidated between the “data providers”, i.e. the WRIS institutions, and WRC, whereby data and information needs are being met through standing collaborative arrangements (service agreements) as requested by WRC.

Danida’s support for IWRM in Ghana
The support by Danida towards introduction of IWRM principles in Ghana took its start in the early years after the establishment of WRC. However, it was not until the middle of Danida’s first water sector programme support (WSSPS I) that a formal component was introduced. During the period 2001-2003, institutional support and capacity building were provided to WRC. During the second programme phase (WSSPS II) covering the period 2004-2008, the support focused on introducing IWRM at decentralized level through the creation of river basin-based water management structures (“basin boards”), and capacity building and awareness raising at the District Assembly level.
Much of the progress made and achievements realized towards introducing and regularizing IWRM as listed in the previous section can be attributed to the support provided by Danida.