Assessing Awareness about Volta Basin Authority, Code of Conduct and Water Governance Challenges in the Volta Basin

Abstract

River basin organizations have taken shape in different parts of Africa partly under the influence of international aid institutions that aimed to help prevent water conflicts among basin countries. The code of conduct and the Volta Basin Authority (VBA) exemplify one of most recent efforts to collaboratively govern a major transboundary basin of western Africa. The question, however, remains as to the extent to which culturally diverse local communities can be mobilized and integrated in water governance. No study has clarified this point. This paper, therefore, attempts to better understand local stakeholders’ perceptions and needs to collaboratively govern transboundary water between Ghana and Burkina Faso. For this research, we conducted preliminary field visits and questionnaire surveys in both countries. We found that 84% of the respondents in Burkina Faso and 91% in Ghana did not know about the VBA. Some respondents, especially educated ones in both countries, did hear about the code of conduct. Regarding local needs for water governance, most respondents in Ghana expressed concerns about frequent flooding due to Bagre Dam spillage in upstream Burkina Faso that devastated their farms. This research then discusses how transboundary water governance in the Volta River Basin can be improved in the future.