Assessing water security and governance complexity in the Owabi river catchment in Ghana

Abstract

Water resource management is a pressing challenge in developing regions, including Ghana, where climate change effects and rapid urbanisation, deforestation, and pollution increasingly threaten water availability and quality. This study examined (i) water security conditions and (ii) water governance and management practices in the Owabi River Catchment in Kumasi, Ghana. A mixed-methods approach was employed, comprising a household survey of 1015 participants to assess water access, quality, and use patterns. Furthermore, key informant interviews were conducted to examine governance arrangements and institutional practices. Binary logistic regression was done to analyse determinants of effective water management. The study population reflected the demographic structure of the catchment, with participants drawn from urban, peri-urban, and rural communities and representing diverse age groups, education levels, occupations, and household sizes. Findings reveal water security challenges, including widespread river pollution, declining water quality, and health risks linked to poor domestic wastewater disposal and rising negative land-use pressures. Governance-related challenges were characterised by weak regulatory enforcement, limited institutional coordination, and predominantly passive forms of community participation in water management decision-making. Statistical analysis revealed that community participation (OR = 2.042, p < 0.001), water treatment practices (OR = 3.926, p < 0.001), and pollution control measures (OR = 15.75, p < 0.001) significantly influenced the effectiveness of water resource management. Strengthening participatory governance, improving pollution control, and integrating technological solutions such as Internet of Things-based monitoring and green infrastructure could substantially enhance water sustainability in the Owabi River Catchment.