Ghana must start harvesting rain – MP

The Member of Parliament for Adentan Constituency, Yaw Buaben Asamoah, has called on the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources to commence the consideration of rain harvesting in the country. He is of the view that Ghana can avoid the incessant water shortages, if the nation begins to consider two main harvests. He proposed, firstly, that measures and mechanisms should be put in place to harvest rains, which go waste every time. According to the lawmaker, Ghana can consciously construct man-made channels within cities where rains can be directed and harvested, if not drinkable, for irrigation and watering of farms. The Adentan MP also suggested that water, which flows into the sea from the River Volta through Sogakofe and Ada estuary, can be harvested. Mr Buaben Asamoah made these suggestions on the floor of the house after the Minister of Sanitation and Water Resources, Joseph Kofi Adda, made a statement to commemorate International Water Day on March 22. Mr Adda briefed Parliament on the UN target goal of ‘Water for All’, claiming that Ghana’s targets still remain “rocky and arduous”. He said the issues are complex and inter-related, making it incumbent on all Ghanaians to collaborate and play their respective roles to ensure the issues are overcome. The former Navrongo Central MP asserted that globally all the wastewater from homes , business places and industry flow back to nature without being treated or reused. He explained that the situation pollutes the environment and rids it of valuable nutrients and other recoverable materials. Expressing his worry, he noted that wastewater management is seriously neglected and wastewater therefore is grossly undervalued as a potentially affordable and sustainable source of water and energy. Some members of Parliament including Pusiga MP Laadi Ayamba, who wants Parliament to rise against water bodies being polluted by the activities of galamsey operators, equally contributed to the statement. By Owoahene Omari Acheampong|Onua 95.1FM|3newsco.m|Ghana Follow @3Newsgh