This workshop organized by the Volta Basin Authority within the scope of its MOU with GWP West Africa for the implementation of the Water Climate and Development Programme in Africa (WACDEP). The development of the two studies with the financial and technical support from WACDEP are focused on the "Assessment of the current state of water management and climate change in the Volta Basin as part of the establishment of an observatory for water resources and related ecosystems" and "Outlines and principles for sustainable development of the Volta Basin Master Plan”.
The validation of these two important studies "for the planning of the VBA" were submitted to the review of experts and partners of the Authority for validation. Two presentations were made on the Water Climate and Development Programme in Africa and the Volta Basin Authority respectively by the WACDEP Program Officer Mahamoudou TIEMTORE and the Director of the VBA, Dr. Charles BINEY.
The consultant then presented each study separately for consideration by the participants. Experts from each of the six Basin countries (Benin, Burkina Faso, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Mali and Togo) in addition to partner institutions such as IUCN, WASCAL, etc. had a critical look at these studies. They unanimously noted the great work done by the consultant and noted the limits of his approach and suggested measures to address them.
After two days of discussions, some recommendations were addressed to the VBA so that the institution develops a strategy for mitigation and adaptation to climate change and undertakes corporate communication actions in the country and involves CWPs in the outreach activities. The institution should also focus on the exploitation of groundwater resources and the monitoring of water quality in the basin.
It was asked from GWP to extend projects and pilot activities undertaken by WACDEP to all six riparian countries of the Volta Basin, the program is currently focused on Ghana and Burkina Faso.
For the Chairman of GWP / WA, Prof. Abel AFOUDA, taking into account the suggestions and amendments will have documents relevant to the evolution of the ABV.