Water in Africa Research Paper Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1500 words

Water in Africa - Research Paper Example s economy that was worth $35 billion in 2012 and estimated to grow by 8 percent in 2013(more than sub-Saharan African average for sixth year straight) will not continue to grow at the estimated rate without modern water network(Dzawu). In sub-Saharab Africa, cost of water shortages and lack of sanitation is estimated to be 5 percent of its annual GDP (Dearn).This research paper examines Africa’s water and sanitation crisis and major reason behind it and finds that Africa’s water crisis is the precursor of global water crisis, as a result, privatization may seem to be the only solution, but long term management and planning is the key to regulate it. It is interesting to note that Ghana is now politically stable and conducting peaceful elections since 1992. Its economic strengths are associated with gold, cocoa, and oil, yet Ghana’s President, John Dramani Mahama, accepted that Ghana is facing a major energy and water crisis. Some of the major problems with water supply system are aging water pipes, some of which were installed in 1914.Moreover, even those pipes doesn’t reach expanding suburbs of Accra. The supply is not adequate for ever increasing demand. Due to the lack of investment in water sector for 50 years, state only deals with emergency situations. State-owned Ghana Water can’t explain for 55 percent of the water it produces because either water is illegally siphoned from pipes or pipes bursts due to damage by erosion or construction (Dzawu). Water shortages brought nationwide crisis in electricity production. Though the water shortages have always been there, but electricity production needs were met by gas, electricity crisis started when the West African Gas Pipeline collapsed in August 2012 which reduced the natural gas supply to fire thermal power plants. Water Company also needs electricity in order to maintain its treatment operations (Dzawu). According to Ghanaian a researcher, In order to run their operations, other companies often