The Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, has called for a renewed national commitment to protecting Ghana’s water bodies, warning that their continued degradation poses a threat to both development and public well-being.

Speaking at the World Water Day commemoration last week in Accra, Mr Adjei stressed that water should be regarded as a shared national heritage, not merely a resource for consumption.

“Water is not only a resource to be used; it is a shared heritage to be protected,” he said, highlighting concerns over pollution, illegal mining, and poor waste management, which are endangering the country’s rivers.

He cautioned that such environmental challenges undermine national development and citizen well-being, adding that safeguarding water bodies must remain a national priority.

“The degradation of our rivers through pollution, illegal mining, and poor waste management threatens our national development and the well-being of our citizens. Protecting our water bodies must therefore remain a national priority,” he emphasised.

Mr Adjei also highlighted the importance of ensuring equitable access to water, particularly for women and girls, describing water security as a pathway to dignity and opportunity.

Linking Ghana’s water agenda to the global development framework, he called for stronger partnerships and increased resource mobilisation to support progress towards the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly Goal 6 on clean water and sanitation and Goal 5 on gender equality.

“As we work towards achieving the Sustainable Development Goals… we must strengthen partnerships and mobilise the resources needed to accelerate progress,” he said.

He urged continued collaboration among stakeholders to build a country where access to safe water is universal and sustainable.

“Let us continue to work together to build a Ghana where every community has access to safe water, where women and girls are empowered, and where our water resources are protected for generations to come,” he added.

Mr Adjei commended the National Planning Committee for World Water Day 2026 and all stakeholders involved in organising the event, expressing hope that the occasion would inspire stronger collective action.

“May today’s commemoration inspire renewed action, deeper collaboration, and stronger commitment to advancing water security and gender equality in Ghana,” he said.