Managing water resources in Ghana- a comparison with the Great Lakes- St. Lawrence Basin

Session: Poster session

Sylvia Hussein, Brock University, [email protected]
Francine McCarthy, Brock University, [email protected]
Diane Dupont, Brock University, [email protected]

Abstract

The Great Lakes are a priceless water resource but they have been threatened by external forces including climate change, human impact, and debatable transboundary policies in the form of treaties, agreements and compacts that have been modified to meet changing needs. Owing to the controversies surrounding the non-binding nature of the St. Lawrence Water Resource Management Agreement, as opposed to a compact which is legally enforceable, it is important to reconsider the Agreement to better protect the Great Lakes from exploitation in the form of diversions, withdrawals and pollution. Ghana in contrast, is not faced with managing a transboundary water resource, so it is easier to draft policies for Ghana’s water resources. There are, however, issues of overlapping functions between designated institutions, vague chain of command, lack of transparency and adequate finance, bureaucracy and poor accountability. While laws and policies exist, the real problems lie in the ambiguity of these policies and institutional structure, and the scarce resources needed to implement and maintain them. It is even more difficult for a developing country like Ghana to sustainably manage, conserve and protect its water resources with these limitations, in light of of increasing population and climate change.

1. Keyword
Africa

2. Keyword
decision making

3. Keyword
environmental policy