Case studies

The choice of the Volta Basin by Green Cross International was not made at random. Like the majority of transboundary river basins, the Volta Basin experiences a number of recurrent conflicts between the riparian populations and States. As the conflicts between the five basin States are being addressed at the international level, it is high time that conflict prevention mechanisms which involve all actors in the management of the water resources of the basin were sought and implemented. Actions should be taken to ensure shared water resources are no longer a source of conflicts but rather bring about the potential for cooperation and engage the public in the water decisions that so vitally affect their lives. Such is the key concern of Green Cross International/Burkina Faso in carrying out this project.
For efficient implementation of the Project, a Steering Committee and a supporting Team have been set up under the responsibility of the Coordinator of the Water for Peace Volta Project, Mr. Ousséni DIALLO, President of Green Cross Burkina Faso. The present report covers the period of April 01, 2002 to September 30, 2002 and hinges upon the following two main activities which characterised this period:

I. Development of the Strategy of Information of Communication and Sensitisation on Water Related Conflicts Prevention in the Volta Basin;
II. a) Consultation for and drafting of the Basin Declaration;
b) Holding of a Regional Consultative Workshop for Civil Society on water-related conflict prevention in the Volta Basin in Accra, Ghana.

The official launching of the Water for Peace Volta project was done on March 22, 2002 on the occasion of the celebration of World Water Day.