THE WHITE VOLTA SUB-BASIN - Sustainable Irrigation Development in the White Volta Sub-Basin - page 20

Ministry of Health/Ghana Health Service: The Ministry of Health is
responsible for the provision of public health services delivery in Ghana. The
Ghana Health Service is the implementing agency of the Ministry of Health.
The role of the Ghana Health Service with regard to water is the control of
water-related diseases. These are diseases caused by unsafe drinking water,
such as cholera and diarrhoea; and vectors that rely on water, such as
malaria, schistosomiasis, guinea worm and elephantiasis. The Health Service
collaborates with MOFA and GIDA to investigate some of these diseases
caused by irrigation developments. They are also engaged in providing health
education on water-related diseases to communities, especially in areas where
small reservoirs and dugouts are developed (Birner et al., 2005).
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): The Environmental Protection
Agency Act of 1994 (Act 490) turned the Environmental Protection Council
into an Agency having, inter alia, regulatory and enforcement roles. The
Environmental Protection Agency operates under the Ministry of
Environment, Science and Technology and is responsible for enforcing and
compliance of pollution prevention and control, ecosystem management,
environmental justice and environmental education. EPA is in charge of
conducting Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) for several types of
projects. For example, the construction of dams requires an EIA. The EPA
receives EIA applications for proposed new projects, conducts inspection and
social assessment for verification and grants permits for the projects. For
major projects an EIA may involve public hearings.
Volta River Authority (VRA): The Volta River Authority (VRA), a state-
owned entity, is responsible for the production of electricity in Ghana
through the Akosombo and Kpong Hydropower Plants, located downstream
of the White Volta sub-basin. VRA also exports energy to neighbouring
countries such as Togo, Benin and Burkina Faso. Due to the water needs of
the Akosombo Dam, VRA is concerned with all upstream water uses since
these have direct impacts on the water availability downstream for
hydropower generation. In the past VRA has provided funding for planting
tress to protect river banks with the aim of conserving the water body.
Minerals Commission: The Commission's primary responsibility is to foster
the efficient and effective regulation and management of the utilization of
Ghana's mineral resources. The minerals commission has an involvement in
the water resources management due to the possible adverse effects of mining
on water quality and availability.
Forestry Commission: The Forestry Commission of Ghana is responsible for
the regulation of utilization of forest and wildlife resources, the conservation