A Ghanaian Climate Change consultant for the African Development Bank has called on African leaders to adopt more sustainable approaches to water resources management.
Lawyer Seth Osafo said that is the only means to survive the adverse impact of Climate Change.
He pointedout that recent reports of water shortages in some parts of Africa is a wake-up call on leaders on the continent.
Mr. Osafo indicated that Africa needs to consider climate adaptation strategies in water collection and conservation in order to meet the water demands of its ever growing population.
The former legal advisor to the United Nations Convention on Climate Change Secretariat made the call in an interview with the media,Tuesday,22nd.
His statement was in reference to the Wold Water Day which was celebrated across the globe.
‘’Climate change is here with us on the continent and is either our leaders instituted adaptation measures or we all prepare to bare the consequences’’, he emphasized.
He stressed that Africa just like other continent must prepare for survival measures to withstand the effects of Climate Change.
‘’We as a continent (Africa) and a nation (Ghana) must prepare for flooding, as well as prepare for droughts. Failure to do so leaves us with less survival options now and in the future’’ he intimated.
The legal adviser observed that Africa is endowed with many water resources and all that leaders of respective countries need to do is to manage it well.
Using his home country as an example, Mr. Osafo disclosed that Ghana has many fresh water resources.
He recounted the many big rivers, streams, lakes, ponds, etc. across the country as well as abundant seasonal rain fall.
Mr. Osafo therefore wondered why such a country cannot collect and store enough, if not great volumes of water for its needs.
He regretted why the country is unable to collect the huge volumes of fresh water from the Volta basin but allow it to flow down into the sea.
He on that note called on the Ghanaian water resource management bodies to find means of collecting this volumes of water.
Touching on water management and food security, the Africa Climate Negotiations Consultant said many countries on the continent can no longer rely on rain fall for agricultural productivity.
He urged them to consider irrigation as non-negotiable alternative to rain-fed agriculture.
‘’We can no longer rely on rains for agriculture. Irrigation has become extremely crucial in many parts of the world. Africa and Ghana should tap into its rich water resources advantage to enhance all year agricultural productivity.
Lawyer Seth Osafo commended the global leadership for efforts in ensuring sustainable global water supply.
