THE ROLE OF TRADITIONAL AUTHORITIES IN WATER RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN BINAABA, BAWKU WEST DISTRICT

Current water reforms in most African countries focus on decentralizing water management to the water users, as a way of improving water governance. The target of these reforms is equity, efficiency and sustainability. Unfortunately the reforms tend to concentrate on the use of statutory laws, and give little consideration to the already existing traditional practices. This report presents the findings of a case that examined traditional water management practices in Binaaba located in the Bawku West District of the Upper East Region of Ghana. The study examined water-related management activities around the Binaaba Dam, which is a small multipurpose dam. Binaaba dam is unique one in that it is fed by both base flow and rainfall. It has survived major droughts in the area and significantly, has not silted up in its more than 40 years of existence. Key informant interviews and structured questionnaires administered at the household level were used to assess traditional water management practices in terms of their existence and their effectiveness for sustaining water supply and rural livelihoods. Their implications for IWRM, and therefore improved water governance, were also assessed. The study revealed that customary laws govern water resources management. Traditional leaders preside over all water-related issues. They were responsible for setting up the rules governing the water resources, demarcating specific areas around the water sources, handling of offenders and management of conflicts. Sometimes they carry out these roles together with the entire community. The traditional water management practices were also found to be quite effective for sustaining food production, because everyone is allowed to have access to the water. Moreover, water resources are managed as a whole system; during the rainy season people use water from other sources, while preserving the dam water for the dry season. The majority of the people are not aware of the IWRM, indicating that the attempts to introduce IWRM in this area have not been effective. The study concludes that it is important to seriously take into consideration traditional water resources management practices, as these are vital for improved water governance. However, it is essential to first assess the sustainability of the traditional water management practices for effective IWRM implementation and therefore improved water governance. DEDICATION I dedicate this thesis to my mother, Ms. Mary Takoro, the foundation of my life and the memory of my father Alhaji Sulemana. To my lovely daughter, Laurentia Pamela Ampim Darko, and my two body guards David and Thomas for their support and inspiration in all my studies. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Glory and praise to Almighty God for His mercy, Grace and favour, during my period of studying and for enabling me to start and finish this work successfully. My second appreciation goes to my Supervisor Dr. I.O. Kanton for his continuous patient, direction, dedication, encouragement and his careful editing he provided to me to put together this report. To all my lecturers who handled me during my study period, their contribution and inspiring ideas and comments has brought me this far. The Dean and Coordinator of the Development Management programme are not left out. To Dr. Moses Kambo, for his contribution in getting a partial sponsorship for me for this research, I say am grateful. To the CPWF V4 team for their financial support during the data collection of this work. To the chief, elders and people of Binaaba for their time and patient they had for me during my data collection. Mr. Aaron Aduna of WRC, the Zongoyiri assembly man, Hon. Baba Akumasi. To my friends and loved ones for their continuous support, advice and encouragement during the period I left them and was away studying, they never abounded me or stopped praying for me. Lastly, to my classmates, Development Management 2010/2011 badge, for the work and time we shared together in groups. I hope they all benefited from this time as much as I have from working with them. Thank you all and may God shower his bountiful blesses on all your efforts and future studies. TABLE OF CONTENT DECLARATION. i ABSTRACT.ii DEDICATION.iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . iv TABLE OF CONTENTS . v LIST OF TABLES.vii LIST OF FIGURES.viii LIST OF APPENDICES . ix ACRONYMS.x CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION.