Water sharing in the Volta basin

Abstract

The geography of the Volta basin is briefly described. This is followed by an overview of water use developments in the two main riparian countries, Ghana and Burkina Faso. Ghana's water use consists mainly of hydropower generation for the urbanized south whereas in upstream Burkina Faso agricultural water use dominates. Analysis of the water balance shows a large sensitivity of surface water resources with respect to changes in precipitation and thereby to global and regional climate change. Finally, the GLOWA Volta project is introduced which addresses the issue of optimal water use under changing water demand and supply.