Ghana reaffirmed its commitment to improving water access and advancing gender equality during the national commemoration of World Water Day (WWD) 2026 on 24th March, 2026 at the Ghana Academy of Arts and Sciences in Accra.
The event was held on the theme “Water and Gender” highlighting the critical role of women in water management and the barriers they face in accessing safe water. The celebration was led by the Water Resources Commission (WRC) and its partners who advocated for gender equality in water access. The event also highlighted the government’s commitment to expanding safe water services while promoting the active participation of women in water governance.
Delivering the keynote address, the Minister for Works, Housing and Water Resources, Hon. Kenneth Gilbert Adjei, emphasised that water is essential not only for survival but also for dignity, fairness, and opportunity. He highlighted that women and girls in many communities still bear the disproportionate burden of fetching water, often at the expense of education, economic participation, and leadership roles.
The Minister reaffirmed the government’s commitment to expanding access to safe water through investments in rural water supply systems, small-town water projects, and the rehabilitation of urban water infrastructure, while also promoting the active involvement of women in water governance and encouraging education and community awareness to protect water resources for future generations.
The Acting Executive Secretary of the Water Resources Commission, Dr. Mawuli Lumor stressed that women and children are most affected by water scarcity and pollution. He highlighted that improved access to clean water keeps girls in school and empowers women to contribute meaningfully to economic and community development.
In his remarks, the Director of the Centre for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) -Water Research Institute and Chairman for the event, Prof. Mike Yaw Atwebeboah, described water as a fundamental human right and a cornerstone of national development. He emphasised that although women are central to water and sanitation, they remain underrepresented in leadership and decision-making. He called for gender responsive policies and inclusive governance structures.
The event brought together government officials, development partners, civil society organizations, and private sector actors, reinforcing Ghana’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) particularly Goal 6 which relates to Clean Water and Sanitation and Goal 5 which relates to Gender Equality, respectively.
The sponsors and partners who supported the World Water Day 2026 celebration included Blue Deal, Guinness Ghana Breweries PLC, CSIR-Water Research Institute, World Vision Ghana, Zijin Golden Ridge Limited, Kibi Goldfields Limited, Plantations Socfinaf Ghana, Catholic Relief Services, Rural Water Development Programme, Ghana Meteorological Agency, AngloGold Ashanti (Iduapriem) Mine Limited, and Special Ice Company Limited.
The national commemoration highlighted that sustainable water management requires collective responsibility, inclusive governance, and strategic investment.
The Water Resources Commission reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring safe, equitable, and sustainable water access for all, with a focus on empowering women and girls and safeguarding Ghana’s water resources for future generations.
