One in four Ghanaians still lack access to clean and
safe drinking water, particularly in rural areas. Inadequate assessment and
underuse of groundwater resources, and increasing vulnerability to severe
flooding are key issues.
Ghana at a glance
Situated in West Africa, Ghana is bordered by Burkina Faso to the north, Togo to the east, the Gulf of Guinea to the south, and Côte d’Ivoire to the west. The country covers approximately 240,000 km², divided into 16 administrative regions, with a population of around 34 million.
Ghana’s water resources
Water plays a crucial role in Ghana’s development agenda. It is essential for improving livelihoods, advancing education, driving economic growth, and promoting good health.
The country’s water resources are primarily shaped by its surface and groundwater systems, which are essential for the country’s hydrology and water supply.
There are three main surface water areas:
- the Volta basin
- the Southwestern basin
- the Coastal basin.
The transboundary Volta basin is the largest of the three, contributing nearly two-thirds of total runoff. It includes the Black Volta, White Volta, Oti River, and Lower Volta, with Lake Volta being the world’s largest artificial reservoir by surface area (8,502 km2). The lake was created by the Akosombo dam, which is used for hydropower generation.
Ghana’s groundwater resources are less productive, with groundwater recharge generally low and varying significantly across regions.
Shallow aquifers are found in solid rocks and sedimentary formations, and more productive limestone aquifers exist along the southeastern and southwestern coasts.
Ghana’s water challenges
Key issues are inadequate assessment and underuse of groundwater resources, increasing vulnerability to severe flooding, shortage of funds and lack of political will.
Inadequate assessment of groundwater quality and quantity means that the full potential of groundwater remains untapped. This is despite the pressure many communities face, especially in northern Ghana, to seek alternatives to surface water increasingly contaminated by animals, agricultural runoff, illegal mining, and poor waste management.
Increasing vulnerability to catastrophic flooding is a problem aggravated by climate change. Floods have become more frequent and intense, particularly in urban areas, where they disrupt daily activities and communities.
In October 2023, spillage from the Akosombo dam, displacing about 30,000 people in the Volta region, underscored the severity of the issue.
Flooding worsens water contamination, making clean water access more difficult, as well as causing immediate financial and social harm. This impacts short-term recovery efforts and complicates long-term water-resource management, as contaminated floodwaters strain Ghana’s capacity to provide safe and reliable water to its population.
Shortage of funds for critical government institutions presents significant challenges for national water-resource management.
Financial shortfalls limit the operational capacity of organisations such as the Ghana Hydrological Authority, Ghana Meteorological Agency, Community Water and Sanitation Agency, Water Resources Commission, and Ghana Water Company Ltd, and undermines efforts to monitor and protect water resources and the environment.
Embezzlement of state funds by government officials, coupled with a lack of accountability, exacerbates these issues.
Inadequate commitment by the government to safeguarding water resources and the environment is also a key concern.
Solving the crisis
A strategic approach is needed to address Ghana’s water problems, starting with better assessment and use of groundwater.
This can be accomplished by conducting extensive hydrogeological and geological investigations to determine areas with prolific aquifers and re-evaluate the quality and quantity of the water.
Some rural areas are already receiving safe drinking water thanks to foreign aid and charitable organizations like WaterAid.
The creation of a national flood prediction model is essential to addressing flood risk and protecting more lives and property.
This model should include:
- allowances for climate change to enable more precise forecasts of flood events
- ongoing data collection on rainfall, streamflows, and water levels.
Natural flood management strategies such as blue-green infrastructure and sustainable drainage systems (SuDS) could also reduce urban floods.
International collaboration on flood management can also offer invaluable technical know-how and resources to help make these options a reality.
The last word
Ghana faces significant water-management challenges, but potential solutions do exist.
Prioritizing investments in water management, with international support, will be essential to secure Ghana’s water future and protect its citizens from water-related disasters.
Author: Benedict Addae-Mensah