The Department of Water Resources under the Department of State for Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, in collaboration with the ECOWAS Water Resources Coordination Centre - based in Ouagadougou Burkina Faso - on Monday began a 5-day training-of-trainers workshop on Integrated Water Resources Management.

The workshop brings together 15 participants from five English-speaking West African countries: The Gambia, Ghana, Liberia, Nigeria and Sierra Leone.

In his welcoming remarks, Innocent Ouedraogo, a representative from the Ecowas Water Resources Coordination Centre, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, spoke on the significance of the training which, he said, in the second of its kind after the one organised in Ouagadougu.

"Participation in this training by eminent personalities and national and regional experts demonstrates the interest and importance that your countries accord to the rigorous management of water resources in West Africa," he said.

Amadou Saine, on behalf of the permanent secretary, Department of State for Fisheries, Water Resources and National Assembly Matters, emphasised the increase in water demand related to population growth and economic development as an increased pressure on resources, particularly in developing countries.  He added that water plays an essential role in human endeavours such as food production, industrial development and public health, amongst others.  

According to Saine, the availability of water in West Africa is seen as a concern for the peoples and governments, who are confronted daily with various types of water related problems such as domestic water shortages, waterborne diseases, floods and many more.
 
Mr Saine highlighted the role of The Gambia government noting that the training is very important and essential in efforts to ensure socio-economic development, most importantly in enhancing poverty alleviation and the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).