TWO SIGN PACT ON WHITE VOLTA BASIN (D/G Thursday July 3, 2008 PAGE 38)

Ghana and Burkina Faso have signed a joint agreement on the creation, responsibilities, composition and operation of the Transboundary Committee for the effective management of the resources of the White Volta Basin.The signing ceremony of the Statutes and Statutory Regulations for the management of water resources of the White Volta sub-basin by the Governor of the Central East Region of Burkina Faso and the Upper East Regional Minister of Ghana marks the establishment of consultative forums at the national and transboundary levels.This endeavour is aimed at strengthening stakeholder participation at the local level in the development of integrated water resources management interventions to implement in the Volta basin towards sustainable ecosystem functions and services.The transboundary forum further acknowledges the interactions of primary stakeholders straddling the frontiers of the two countries at the grass roots and the possibility of tensions and even conflicts, thus promoting common activities among cross-border communities and a sense of shared responsibility towards regional integration and co-operation.The Upper East Regional Minister, Mr Alhassan Samari, signed for Ghana, while his counterpart from the Central East Region of Burkina Faso, Mr Simeon Sawadogo, initialled for his country.The ceremony was witnessed by Ghana's Ambassador to Burkina Faso, His Excellency Sahanun Mogtari. Also present were the District Chief Executives for Garu-Tempane and Bawku West, Messrs Emmanuel Asigri and Desmond Bugbilla; the Regional Co-ordinating Director, Mr Samuel N'lary, as well as the Basin Officer of the Water Resources Commission, Mr Aaron Aduna.Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Samari observed that it was common knowledge that a significant number of people in northern Ghana depended on the Volta River for their livelihood by way of domestic water supply, agriculture, fishing or transportation.He added that "for us in the northern part of Ghana, the water and other natural resources of the Volta Basin will, therefore, make an immense difference in our quest for development if they are efficiently managed".Mr Samari stressed that the Government of Ghana placed high premium on sub-regional and regional co-operation and economic integration as an effective mechanism for improving trade, as well as the well-being of the citizenry, as the Volta was recognised as a vital instrument for regional co-operation, integration and development.He appealed to his partner in the agreement to be ready to share information, particularly during this coming rainy season, to prevent any eventualities on people living downstream.Mr Samari, who hinted at the information on meteorological forecasts on the expected rainfall and possible rising levels of the Bagre and Kompienga dams, said such information would greatly help Ghana to adequately prepare for flood management.The regional minister pledged his commitment to facilitate the efficient and integrated management of the shared resources of the Volta.The Governor of the Central East Region of Burkina Faso, Mr Simeon Sawadogo, for his part, said both Ghana and Burkina Faso relied on the water resources in the Volta Basin and so there was the need for the authorities on both sides to work hard to ensure their sustenance for the present and future generations.Ghana's Ambassador to Burkina Faso, Mr Mogtari, who stressed the importance of water, said the effective implementation of the agreement would help reduce poverty among the people.Mr Kwame Odame-Ababio, the Co-ordinator of the Project for Improving Water Governance in the Volta Basin (PAGEV), said PAGEV was a unique initiative on shared water resources management approach, adding that during the three years of implementation, the project, which was funded by the Swedish International Development Co-operation Agency, had facilitated community participation in transboundary water management, in partnership with stakeholders from Ghana and Burkina Faso.In addition, it had also supported the two countries to improve policy and institutional environment that enhanced a better governance of the shared basin.