Only a flexible systematic, long-term process, driven within a multi-stakeholder-agreed framework, can turn around groundwater’s poor governance and utilisation.
This is according to a new report by the South African Water Research Commission. Groundwater is strategically important for socio-economic development throughout the sub-Saharan Africa region. According to the report, the poorly understood functioning of groundwater in the hydrological environment contributes to its poor management. The report titled Groundwater Governance: a Global Framework for Action (2011-2014) provides a regional diagnosis of groundwater for sub-Saharan Africa. The framework in briefA top down facilitation of multiple actions needs to occur. This requires attention from multiple levels, including local, national and regional. The process should start with a model institutional framework, strategically developed by multiple stakeholders and based on an understanding of the roles and requirements of groundwater.
Systematic groundwater monitoring should be implemented in every country and should include the quantity and quality of the resource as well as its use by various economic sectors. Key to increasing investment in groundwater is a systematic social and economic valuation of groundwater as a commodity for local, national and regional development. This should also provide a basis for improved communication of groundwater‘s role within the water sector. Good communication is essential to good governance. Forums should be set up for all levels of stakeholders. Knowledge management should be an on-going contribution from the groundwater science sector to the water sector. This includes sharing, archiving and effectively communicating knowledge.
