Report by: Environmental News Desk
Ho, Volta Region, Ghana – Togbe Tepre Hodo IV, Paramount Chief of the Anfoega Traditional Area and President of the Volta Regional House of Chiefs, has urged stakeholders to ensure traditional rulers and grassroots partners play critical roles in environmental preservation.
Speaking at the Mole WASH XXXV Conference, Togbe Hodo IV emphasized the devastating impact of galamsey on Ghana’s water bodies and health. “We must protect our environment, our water, and our land for future generations.”
The conference, organized by the Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS) and supported by WaterAid Ghana, World Vision Ghana, UNICEF, World Bank, and Global Communities, aims to promote sustainable water, sanitation, and hygiene services.
“I encourage this conference to focus on involving traditional rulers and grassroots stakeholders in these efforts,”
Togbe Hodo IV said. “Legislation alone cannot do it. Policy-making alone cannot do it. Let’s get down to the grassroots and tackle this problem.”
On her part, Beata Awinpoka Akanyani, CONIWAS Chairperson, described galamsey as a danger to Ghanaians’ survival, urging decisive government and stakeholder action.
The Coalition of NGOs in Water and Sanitation (CONIWAS) is the lead organizer of the conference, supported by member CSOs like WaterAid Ghana, World Vision Ghana, UNICEF, the World Bank, and Global Communities, among others.’
Public sector institutions such as the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, the World Bank-funded GAMA SWP project, are also part of the organizers.
Source: www.thenewidependentonline.com
