By Jeremiah Nutsugah
The Director General of the International Water Management Infrastructure (IWMI), Dr. Mark Smith, has stated that IWMI has a global strategy addressing water risk and gender equality in water management.
On Wednesday, April 24th, 2024, at the MJ Grand Hotel in Accra, IWMI hosted a significant workshop themed “Consultation on IWMI West and Central Africa Priorities and Road Map (2024-2030)”. The agenda outlined key priorities and a roadmap for the region, setting a course of action from 2024 to 2030.
During the workshop, Dr. Smith emphasised that partners and stakeholders are working with specific strategies to implement the global strategy in Ghana and West Africa.
“You need water, and we have to ensure that water flows at the right time and in the right places for nature conservation, which is crucial for development, as nature provides essential services and communities require adequate water access,” he stressed.
Dr. Smith underscored the importance of water in sanitation systems to reduce the risk of contaminated water, which affects children’s and household health.
He also addressed climate change and its implications for the future, highlighting the effects such as droughts, floods, and changing monsoon patterns, which alter cropping and farming seasons due to water management and energy considerations.
“Water is essential for all aspects of development. Without proper water management, we risk losing the gains made in development efforts,” he concluded.
