The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) Representative to Ghana, Dr Yurdi Yasmi, has underscored the need to transform global agrifood systems to be more efficient, inclusive, resilient and sustainable to effectively address the water scarcity challenges.
According to him, water was central to life and livelihoods, and to achieve all of the Sustainable Development Goals, there was the need to harness the power of science, innovation, data and technology to produce more with less.
Dr Yasmi disclosed this in Accra at a youth dialogue organised by FAO in collaboration with the University of Ghana’s School of Agriculture as part of the commemoration of World Food Day.
The day, being the 43rd edition, is set aside to create awareness about the problem of hunger in the world, promote transfer of technologies to the developing
world, and strengthen international and national solidarity in the struggles against hunger, malnutrition and poverty, as well as draw attention to the achievements in food and agricultural development.
On the theme: “Water is life, water is food; leave no one behind”, the event also marked the commemoration of Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO)’s 75th anniversary.
Dr Yasmi said climate crisis, population growth, urbanisation, industrialisation and social-economic development were putting increasing pressure on water resources, adding, “Increased extreme weather events, drought and flooding are stressing our ecosystems, with daunting consequences on food security.”
“Today, more than one-third of the world’s population is living without access to safe water. Smallholder farmers, particularly women, youth, indigenous peoples, migrants, and refugees, are the most vulnerable,” he added.
Dr Yasmi urged individuals to renew their commitment and take action on water, saying, “Together we can drive water action by transforming our agrifood systems through better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life – leaving no one behind.”
He also reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to working together with the government of Ghana, and its partners for a “food secure future and a water secure future”.
The university’s Provost Representative, Department of Biomedical Engineering, Professor Elvis Kwason Tiburu, said water was essential in the everyday activities, however, it could also be “crazy” since it could not be controlled, thereby destroying lives and properties.
He called for innovative ways of controlling water in times of a spillage, and admonished the public to be mindful of activities they embarked on since “climate change is rare”.
The Senior Water Development and Management Officer at the FAO Regional Office for Africa, Nzeyimana Valere, entreated individuals to desist from polluting water but rather consume and manage water more efficiently.
BY VIVIAN ARTHUR
