World Water Day 1996
Water for Thirsty Cities
The 3rd annual World Water Day was celebrated on March 22, 1996, with the theme, Water for Thirsty Cities. It emphasized the growing water crisis faced by cities across the world which threatens the sustainability of their social and economic development.
Five Key Issues
The five key issues were emphasized:
- Water is for all;
- What is the cost of a bucket of water?
- Cities can stop the wastage of water;
- Building partnerships for water; and
- Saving water for the future.
The Philippines
In observance of the World Water Day, a symposium with representatives of national government agencies, NGOs and the private sector was held. It aimed to draw up a concept paper on the country's urban water management system for presentation during the International Cities (HABITAT II) Conference in June at Istanbul, Turkey.
Training Network Centre, ITN Philippines, LWUA-MWSS Complex, PO Box 319, AC Katipunan Road Balara, Quezon City, The Philippines, tel.: +63-2-9205581 to 99, fax: +63-2-9223434.
(The ITN newsletter, vol. 7, no. 1, May 1996, p. 5)
Ghana: What World Water Day?
In Ghana, World Water Day, March 22, 1996, was celebrated on the quiet with only speeches. It is argued that the day be well-organized and hardworking NGOs as well as individuals whose contribution to the sector have helped curb the high incidence of water-borne diseases especially Guinea worm, be recognised and acknowledged by the sector Ministry.
Active Involvement Needed
Communities should be made aware of the day's celebration, since they are the most vulnerable when it comes to potable water. The active involvement of rural areas would expose them to the essence of drinking safe water. School children could also be used to get messages across. They are a reliable channel for disseminating information to their peers and parents. NGOs must be involved in the day's activities since they constitute a high percentage in the crusade to provide communities with good drinking water.
Other Africa Countries
The celebration of the day is no better in other African countries either. Problems ranging from poor publicity to lack of funds have made the activities for the day virtually a non starter. In South Africa, the main problem was seen as being the lack of publicity. In the Gambia, the day fell short of the expectations of people in the water sector. Despite the fact that the sector in Gambia has become decentralized, the day's activities are, nevertheless, centralized due to a non existence of funds.
No International Co-ordination
Perhaps the low attention given to the Water Day in Africa generally and Ghana in particular can be traced to the international level. There is no global organization or agency responsible for issues concerning the day, no one in a leadership position at the UN is officially assigned to co-ordinate activities like AIDS Day.
Decentralize Activities
The article ends by suggesting that the Water business at country level deserves more than (bland) speeches at Ministerial level. It is argued that activities should be decentralized to district level to make it functionally more meaningful to the rural dweller who needs potable drinking water to survive. Both government and NGOs, politicians and opinion leaders, particularly at the grassroots have to be involved in the day's activities. The scope of publicity should also be widened to make it known to all.
Judith Thompson, Executive Director, ProNet, Private Mail Bag, Kotoka International Airport, Accra, Ghana, tel.: +233-21 228206, fax: +233-21 223218
(Network lines, vol. 9, June 1996, p. 4-5)