Evaluation And Assessment of Water Resources in Ghana Towards Meeting Future Demands

Abstract

Ghana as a country is blessed with all the natural sources of water; rainwater, water from water bodies, spring water and ground water. This has served the Ghanaian economy for centuries and has met demands of all kinds and still meeting demands. But current illegalities such as illegal gold mining activities, bad waste disposal, bad drainage works is destroying water bodies and water resources and hence a fall in demand especially in the direction of surface water. This has resulted in most gold mining communities depending on ground water to meet daily needs. This research work hence sorts to investigate the current nature of water resources in Ghana and its ability to meet future demands in serving generations to come. Research findings establishes that avoidance of buffer zone protection policy by illegal gold miners has led to mining on water bodies and destruction of natural river channels. The future of surface water bodies in meeting demand is under threat as total destruction of surface water bodies will result in a break in hydrological cycle. Bad hydraulic structures and reduction in drain size is resulting in decrease in runoff generation from impervious areas to contribute to river water volume and amount. Government agencies and all stakeholders needs to help work on water bodies in Ghana to bring to a state which will be aesthetically nice for recreational purposes whiles meeting daily water demands. Indigenous also have to avoid sole dependence on groundwater and rainwater in meeting demands. And make use of water from water bodies like Birim, Supong, Pra, Densu etc as an addition in order to save the resource for now and future generations.