Ghana has commemorated the 2025 World River Day with a passionate call for collective action to protect water bodies and rivers.
The event, organised by Water Resources Commission in collaboration with the Ministry of Works, housing and water resources, Forestry Commission, and Environmental Protection Agency ( EPA), and other partners.
The theme of the event, “Our Rivers, Our Future”, seeks to strengthen and transform Ghana’s water resources for long-term sustainability.
Speaking at the launching ceremony on Wednesday in Accra, the Minister of Works, Housing and Water Resources, Mr. Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, emphasized the urgent need to renew the national pledge to protect, preserve, and sustainably manage rivers for the health of the people, the growth of the economy, and the well-being of future generations.
“Our rivers are not just sources of water. They are ecosystems that sustain life. Protecting them means protecting our future,” he said.
He further reiterated the government’s commitment to restoring every river in Ghana, ensuring access to safe water for all communities, and upholding its pledges through concrete action and accountability.
The Director Legal, Licensing and Compliance of Water Resources Commission, Dr. Bernadette Adjei, called for collective action, stressing the importance of shared initiatives and community involvement in supporting government efforts to protect rivers and water resources.
She expressed gratitude to partners including Ghana Hydro, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the Forestry Commission, Ghana Water, and CONYWAS for their continued dedication to water management.
In her adresss, the Director from EPA, Mrs. Jewel Kudjawu, highlighted the critical role rivers play in Ghana’s socio-economic development and reiterated the agency’s commitment to intensifying environmental assessments.
She explained that projects likely to affect water bodies must adopt effective mitigation measures, while sector-specific standards are being implemented to regulate effluent discharges.
“Protecting Ghana’s rivers requires a multifaceted approach,” Mrs. Kudjawu noted, calling for public awareness, sustainable mining and fishing practices, reforestation efforts, and greater investment in wastewater treatment facilities.
From the forestry perspective, Mr. John Appah, Manager of the Forestry Development Division of the Forestry Commission, stressed that without healthy water bodies, the vision of leaving behind richer forests and thriving wildlife for future generations cannot be realized.
He outlined pragmatic measures undertaken by the Commission, including watershed planting and the promotion of sustainable practices within and outside forest reserves.
“The launch of World River Day is an important call to duty,” Mr. Appah said, adding that protecting rivers is crucial for domestic, agricultural, industrial, and environmental needs.
He reaffirmed the Forestry Commission’s solidarity with the Water Resources Commission, pledging continued commitment to ensuring the sustainable use, allocation, and preservation of both surface and groundwater resources.
Judith Twumwaa, ISD
