ACT 522

WATER RESOURCES COMMISSION ACT, 1996

Ghana has a wide range of natural resources and a major part of those resources is
our water resources. Time has taught us in various ways that the presence of many
rivers, streams or other water resources in a country does not automatically ensure
the availability of potable water for human use and consumption. Hence, the need
to establish organizations and bodies for the sole purpose of the managing our
countrys water resources become a priority to the government of Ghana some
years ago.

The Water Resources Commission Act 522 of 1996 came about in the quest to
secure our various water resources.

It is a document that legally establishes the Water Resources Commission and to

provides for its composition and functions on the regulation and management of
the utilization of water resources in Ghana and for related matters. It outlines the
functions of personnel, requirement for water permit application, rules surrounding
issuing of permits for water use and other pertinent issues and information
concerning the Commission.

The Act consists of thirty-eight (38) sections. Some of these sections deal with
issues concerning Establishment of Water Resources Commission, Composition of
the Board, Functions of the Commission, Filling of Vacancies, Meeting of the
Board, etc.

The sections have been categorized into three (3) parts;

Composition of Board and Related Provisions

Regulation of Use of Water Resources
Financial and Miscellaneous Provisions
Composition of the Board and Related Provisions

It deals with various issues surrounding the chain of command and matters
concerning the staff of the Commission, their functions, their appointment and the
division of labour of board members as well as their allowances.

Regulation of Use of Water Resources

This part stipulates the dos and donts surrounding water use and the water
resources of Ghana. It outlines acts that are considered as crimes as far as the water
resources of Ghana are concerned, the requirements for water rights and water use
permit acquisition, legal actions taken against offenders of the Acts and
Regulations among many other pertinent issues.

It includes section topics like Public water vested in the President, Prohibitions of
use of water without authority, Enforcement notice, among others.

Financial and Miscellaneous Provisions

This part states the sources of funding or funds for the Commission and deals all
financial issues concerning the Commission.

It also addresses issues as relating to power-to-do and control certain activities that
the Commission sees fit to carry out. Issues concerning levying, charges, penalty
for offences, declaration of water emergency, etc. are also dealt with here.