This day was first formally proposed of the 1992 in Agenda 21 Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro. In 1993, the first World Water Day was designated by the United Nations General Assembly and since, each year focuses on a different issue.
The UN and its member nations devote this day to implementing UN recommendations and promoting concrete activities within their countries regarding the world's water resources. Additionally, a number of nongovernmental organizations promoting clean water and sustainable aquatic habitats have used World Water Day as a time to focus attention on the critical issues of our era. Events such as theatrical and musical celebrations, educational events, and campaigns to raise money for access to clean and affordable water are held worldwide on World Water Day, or on convenient dates close to March 22.
The occasion of World Water Day is also used to highlight required improvements for access to WASH (water, sanitation, hygiene) facilities in developing countries.
The theme for this year’s celebration is “Water and
Jobs.” In Ghana the focus for the national celebration this year, “Improved
Safe Water Access for Sustainable Livelihoods,” is an occasion to highlight the
two-way relationship between water and the decent work
agenda in the quest for sustainable development.
According to a statement from the National Planning
Committee of WWD the growing problems associated with water resources, like drought,
flooding and pollution can be addressed by implementing water-efficient and
sustainable projects. Moreover, such investments can also create thousands of
jobs from plumbers to landscapers, engineers to
irrigation specialists.
In view of its importance to
every aspect of life, there is the need to ensure sustainability of water
supply. This refers to the sufficient availability of and access to water into
the foreseeable future. Sustainable water systems should provide adequate water
quantity and appropriate water quality for a given need, without compromising
the future ability to provide this capacity and quality.
However, ensuring
sustainable supply of access to water is an increasingly critical challenge arising
from the fact that globally, water as a resource is changing due to population
growth and migration, land use pressures and energy choices, and the changing
climate. These factors are causing changes in water quantity, availability, and
quality. The change in water resources is evidenced by its scarcity that
afflicts poor people the most.
In Ghana, the
current situation where parts of the country experiences acute water scarcity,
requires strategic investment in water-efficiency and
sustainable water management. This will provide great prospects for
partnerships between businesses, water experts, community based organisations
and policy makers to design projects and policies on a win-win basis for jobs
and water improvements.Making these investments will strategically catalyze
economic growth, develop local industries, and create more jobs for the people.
Consequently, any
agenda to attract direct investment including particularly from the private
sector to create sustainable water jobs, should also aim at meeting the demands
of existing businesses and communities for high quality water and security of
supply.
Additionally, any job creation and service
provision agenda should target the rehabilitation of water reservoirs and
irrigation schemes as these can enhance food security and create work
opportunities for many, especially women in rural areas.
The celebration of the day will
be climaxed with a Stakeholders Dialogue at the Mantse Agbonaa Park, James Town,
Accra. A Schools Tree Planting Competition will be launched at the Ayalolo
Cluster of Schools, also in Accra.
As we celebrate World Water Day let us all remember how important water is to us and even animals. As the saying goes "Water is life" so let us in one way or the other promote access to safe water.
Signed
Adwoa Munkua Dako
(Mrs)
Chairman
National Planning Committee
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