Government urged to Prioritize Investment in Water..,

As ISODEC reinvigorates Water Justice Campaign

A convening of water rights advocacy organizations has concluded in Accra with a clarion call on government to prioritize investment in water systems, focusing on access, availability, and safety.

The Water Justice Strategy meeting was organised by the Integrated Social Development Centre (ISODEC) in collaboration with the Africa Water Justice Network (AWJN), Africans Rising, with support from Blue Planet Projects.

Held in Accra on the theme, ‘Water for People not for Profit’, the meeting brought together water justice activists, civil society organizations  to discuss policy advocacy efforts, and collaborative actions to ensure water remains a public good.

The meeting was also to assess the current state of water justice in Ghana, identify key challenges and gaps in people’s access to water and to establish roles and commitments for a revitalized Water Justice Network in Ghana.

A section of participants in a group discussion

ISODEC and its partners are of the view that access to clean and affordable water is a fundamental human right. However, the financialization and privatization of water resources threaten equitable access, especially for marginalized communities.

In his welcome statement, the Executive Director of ISODEC, Mr. Sam Danse submitted that the theme for the meeting was not just a slogan, but a rallying call and a declaration that water is a human right and not a commodity.

Mr Danse indicated  that access  to clean, safe and  affordable water must be protected and prioritized  for all people, not dictated by market forces or profit margins.

He noted, “Water is life. It is a sacred and essential resource that must remain in the public hands to ensure dignity health and right of people especially the poor and marginalized who bear the brunt of inequality and environmental degradation,”

He said the growing commodification and privatization of water does not only threaten access but undermine the very principle that water is a human right not a privilege.

 The Executive Director maintained that the meeting was both timely and necessary as it was an   opportunity to reflect, organize and to act boldly in defense of water as a public good.

“We commit ourselves to working along communities, movements and institutions to challenge the financialization  of  water and  advocate for the inclusive, equitable policies that protect our water resources for present and future generations,” Mr Danse assured.

In a solidarity statement, Mr Leonard Shang- Quartey, Coordinator of AWJN underscored the critical role water plays in the nation’s health and socio-economic developments and urged the government to prioritize policies and investments that ensure equitable access to clean and safe water, particularly in underserved communities.

Mr Shang- Quartey emphasized the importance of collaboration between government and civil society organizations to address issues relative to water rights. He said there is the need to ensure that every community, no matter how remote, has reliable and clean water sources.

He noted that, Water is a fundamental human right, yet many people still lack consistent access to clean water, and in many instances, water sources are unsafe for consumption.

He, thus, called for increased government funding in water infrastructure, as well as stronger policies to safeguard water sources.

In a presentation, Mr. Gyekye Tanoh, a social activist mentioned the urgent need for a comprehensive approach to address water rights issues in the country. He stated that the issue should not be treated as a discrete or isolated concern, urging stakeholders to recognize the interconnectedness of water access and social equity.

Mr. Gyekye Tanoh making a presentation

For him, the fight for water justice must be comprehensive, encompassing diverse interests and perspectives.

“If we want to transform water justice in this country, we must cast our net wide because our interests are fragmented,” Mr Tanoh said.

He noted that the Water advocacy campaign cannot be successful through narrow, isolated efforts. Instead, a collaborative approach is necessary, one that includes policymakers, Civil  Society, local communities and the private sector.

The meeting ended with a commitment to continue advocating for water rights at both the local and national levels, while urging government bodies to allocate more resources to water infrastructure and ensure stringent regulations for water safety.

The meeting was also used to constitute an Interim Steering Committee to oversee the activities of the Network.

By: Mohammed Suleman/publicagenda.news