• Home
• Photos
• Videos
• Blog
• Partners
• Dam Safety

TRENDING

Welcome Address Delivered by the Executive Secretary of Water Resources Commission, Ben. Y. Ampomah at the launch of the Ripirian Buffer Zone Policy

LAUNCH OF THE NATIONAL BUFFER ZONE POLICY

WEDNESDAY MAY 7, 2014

WELCOME ADDRESS

Nana Chairman

Hon. Minister For Water Resources, Works and Housing

Heads of Agencies and Departments

Distinguished Invited Guests

Members of the Press

Ladies and Gentlemen

Good Morning. My job this morning is to formally welcome you to this program dedicated to the launch of the Riparian Buffer Zone Policy.

Nana Chairman, since 1999, the country’s experience with Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) has evolved and “lessons learnt” with interpretation of the concept and application of the principles in practice has gradually been expanded countrywide and introduced in various sector-related policies, plans and programmes.

During the early years, it was realized that one key challenge for the effective management of our water resources was the institutionalization of policies to harmonize fragmented and dormant principles for the management of water resources and the natural environment.

In 2004 the Water Resources Commission, under the auspices of the then Ministry of Works and Housing, began operating one of its stated functions of advising the Government on any matter likely to have adverse effect on the fresh water resources of Ghana by initiating the process of developing a uniform policy for the establishment and management of buffer zones along rivers, reservoirs, lakes, etc. This was to address the prevailing situation of various institutions using varying buffer zone demarcations that are either latent or ineffectively implemented.

Nana Chairman, the process started with the compilation of legal information on the various buffer zone demarcations and regulations and followed up with preparatory activities to develop guidelines using the Densu Basin as a pilot, where the need for such measures was quite highly visible.  At the end of 2005, a working document was produced that gave recommendations and set the process towards the harmonization of the fragmented buffer zone arrangements.

The next step focused on developing the technical component and the draft policy document. Institutions notably the International Water Management Institute, the Centre for African Wetlands (Legon), Water Research Institute, Forestry Commission, and the Environmental Protection Agency made substantial technical inputs towards the development of the draft document.

From the beginning of 2009 the draft policy document was subjected to series of countrywide and broad based stakeholder consultations and scrutiny to seek comments and general consensus.  Finally, the process was enhanced by applying Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) principles to ensure that the policy appropriately addresses environmental sustainability constraints of proposed government policy measures covering natural resources, socio-cultural, economic and institutional issues.

The policy document has been adopted by Cabinet for its implementation and also sets the path for the development of the required Regulations.

Ladies and Gentlemen, our combined contributions and efforts are needed to initiate and complete these important processes. I therefore entreat you all to assist in the dissemination and practical implementation of this Buffer Zone policy.

On behalf of the Commission, I wish to extend our sincere gratitude to all the partner institutes and key stakeholders for their contributions towards the realisation of this policy.

Thank you for your attention and welcome once again.