Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited is set to host a business-led roundtable to address the issue of water and policy engagement in Accra and to discuss ways of managing the essential utility.

The roundtable, which is part of a series of events across Africa, is dubbed, “Water: A Business Imperative.”

It would also take place in Cameroon, Kenya, Nigeria and South Africa in partnership with the International Business Leaders Forum (IBLF).

Participants of the roundtable, which is slated for 22 April 2010, would include executives from leading companies, the Ministry of Water Resources, Works, and Housing, as well as key Non Governmental Organizations (NGOs).

It is expected to facilitate the engagement of companies to reduce business risks.

The round table discussion is also aimed at advancing national policy goals, which impact positively on communities and ecosystems.

The African Development Bank confirmed that the overall economic loss in Africa was due to the lack of access to safe water and basic sanitation that is estimated at $28.4 billion a year.

Water is a vital resource that drives economies and ensures healthy livelihoods.

Currently, there is pressure on Ghanaian businesses to manage water supplies to reduce the effects of climate change, as rising demand from population growth and industrialization takes effect.

At the end programme, participants at the national discussion are supposed to produce white papers that would identify opportunities and innovative collaborations to efficiently manage Ghana’s water.

The white papers would be presented at the UN Global Compact Business Leader’s Summit in June 2010, New York to provide an African perspective on water policy.

It would form part of the private sector’ contributions towards the Millennium Development Goal (7) that seeks to improve access to water and sanitation.

“The private sector, as a user and provider of water resources, is an important actor in managing Ghana’s water.

These roundtables provide businesses with opportunity to engage directly with key stakeholders to achieve a more equitable and efficient use of the country’s water resources,” said Ekwunife Okoli, General Manager, Guinness Ghana Breweries Limited.

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