Ghana and Germany discuss efficient ways of water management
CH Business Consult-Ghana, the local rep of trAIDe-Germany, a consulting firm, has organised a business forum for German experts and stakeholders in Ghana’s water sector to find ways of preserving, storing and providing clean water to the citizens.
The three-day forum discussed business opportunities for both countries and a solution to the perennial water problems in certain parts of Ghana as well as provide water for all, especially those in the rural areas.
It also held congress for the Ghanaian participants to access the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats (SWOT) of the water industry whilst their German counterparts presented products and services to address the situation.
The stakeholders included officials from the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, and the Ghana Water Company Limited.
Mr Mathias Brandt of trAIDE-Germany said Ghana had enough water from river bodies, rainfall and boreholes among others, which stakeholders must find ways of purifying and preserving for consumers.
German companies including “What a bird,” HOMA pump technology, Silvertex, Omerastore, Martin Membrane Systems, Kaeser Kompressoren, Weima and ribeka would bring solutions and technological skills in resolving problems associated with the water provision sector, he said.
Mr Brandt said a greater part of water was lost as a result of mismanagement and called for monitoring, supervision and supply of water through the right channels to the citizenry to minimise the problem.
He said as there were different seasons with different water volumes, storage systems were needed to bridge the gap and ensure the availability of water at all times.
Mr Brandt said sufficient treatments were also required to help provide the quality of water needed by Ghanaians to prevent water related diseases.
Dr Christian Zankiewicz of the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy, Germany, said: “Ghana is a very forward thinking, advanced economy in Africa and that is why we the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy thought it might be a kind of a good entrance, especially for German companies, to support this course.”
“Our focus is not only on the water sector but my Ministry has expert initiatives for the environment and technologies and water treatment is one part of this expertise.”
Dr Zankiewicz said the Ministry would try to bring German and Ghanaian companies together to see how best to resolve the perennial water problems in Ghana.
The various companies took turns to demonstrate how they would assist Ghana in providing quality water to the citizenry, especially those in the rural areas in a bid to achieve the Sustainable Development Goal – Six.
Mr Isaac Apenyo, the Officer in charge of Development and Investment of Ghana Water Company Limited, disclosed that there was water supply demand gap of 388,633 million gallons per day, adding that the sector was working on extending its services to the unreached areas.
Dr Michael Blank, a German delegate, observed that Ghana was developing at a fast pace with effective transportation system, good security and pleasant people, making the place a safe haven for business.
He said there were 15 German companies already operating in Ghana and thriving, indicating that new entrants would be safe.
Source: GNA