Water sustains every aspect of life and business – from food production and energy generation to raw material processing and sanitation. Yet, urbanization, industrial growth, and the growing effects of climate change are putting Africa’s water systems under both visible and invisible threat. In Ghana and other countries, pollution, inefficient usage, regulatory gaps, and weak infrastructure are eroding the quality and reliability of water at alarming rates.
This presents a serious paradox: how can businesses flourish if the very resource they rely on is being depleted faster than it can be replenished? How can corporate leaders plan for the future while ignoring the most fundamental environmental reality of today?
It was against this backdrop that the “ESG and Effective Water Resource Management for Businesses” webinar, hosted by Brics Africa Consulting Ltd., found both its urgency and its purpose. The session came at a critical time not only to reflect on the severity of the issue but to spotlight actionable, scalable strategies that businesses can implement now.
In Ghana and across West Africa, water may seem abundant. Rivers flow, lakes stretch across entire regions, and rainfall nourishes communities. But beneath this apparent abundance lies a growing crisis: the quality of our water is deteriorating at a pace that should concern us all.
For businesses, this challenge is not just environmental; it is operational, financial, and reputational. The recent webinar organized by Brics Africa Consulting Ltd. offered an urgent platform for companies in Ghana to rethink their relationship with water – moving from consumption to stewardship.
The session convened engineers, sustainability experts, and policy leaders to explore how ESG principles can shape smarter, more accountable water management. This wasn’t about compliance for appearances. It was a deep dive into what it truly means to be a responsible actor in a system where every drop matters — both upstream and downstream.
The Business Case for Water Responsibility
The webinar featured two keynote speakers with a wealth of experience in both technical and strategic aspects of sustainability and water:
- Engineer Godfred Asamoah
Godfred holds an MSc in Water Management and Sanitation Engineering and a BSc in Water and Environmental Engineering from Hasan II University, Morocco. A bilingual (French and English) certified engineer with over seven years’ experience, he specializes in water quality, sanitation, and environmental engineering. His work spans site inspections, reservoir management, water safety plans, and wastewater treatment for municipal, agricultural, and industrial clients. He is a regular contributor to national policy reviews and has served on technical committees both in Ghana and abroad.
- Mr. Abdul Ganiyu Alhassan
Abdul is a development practitioner, academic, and ESG researcher. With over seven years’ experience across West Africa, he has worked with institutions such as the World Bank Group, Navanti Group (USA), and the Center for the Promotion of Human Rights and Development in Africa. His expertise includes ESG risk assessment, sustainability metrics, and social impact evaluation in climate-vulnerable contexts. Abdul holds a Master’s in Development Management (UBIDS) and a Bachelor’s in Integrated Community Development (UDS), alongside various certifications in research and public policy.
The Framework: Why ESG and Water Are Inseparable
Water stewardship is not new, but its role in ESG frameworks is gaining relevance as water scarcity grows more pressing and costly.
Engineer Asamoah challenged attendees to think beyond the tap:
“Water stewardship isn’t just about conservation. It’s about managing it fairly and responsibly, with people and ecosystems in mind.”
He connected water management to three key UN Sustainable Development Goals:
- SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation)
- SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production)
- SDG 13 (Climate Action)
Water, he emphasized, runs through nearly every ESG goal – from energy use to waste reduction to community engagement. It’s a quiet but powerful signal of a company’s commitment to environmental responsibility.
He also outlined Ghana’s water governance framework, highlighting regulatory acts, agencies, and policy gaps. While regulations exist, enforcement remains uneven – placing the onus on businesses to voluntarily lead.
Real-World Insights: A Case from the Sachet Water Industry
To bring this to life, Engineer Asamoah presented a case study on Ghana’s sachet water industry – a sector known for water extraction, plastic pollution, and community impact.
Key insights included:
- Over 15,000 liters of water used daily
- Borehole extraction as the norm
- Monthly revenues around GHS 100,000, with 60% margins
- Significant impact from packaging waste
This highlighted a contradiction: large profits generated from low-cost water, with minimal investment in long-term sustainability. Yet, he also showcased examples of responsible companies treating rinse water, participating in watershed forums, and installing monitoring systems – steps that build trust and reduce ESG risk.
Intelligent Water Systems: From Waste to Wisdom
Mr. Alhassan took a systems approach, urging businesses to embrace innovation. The issue, he argued, isn’t the lack of solutions – it’s the lack of will.
“Poor water management is wasteful, risky, and increasingly unacceptable,” he warned.
He outlined the risks of mismanagement:
- Higher operating costs
- Legal penalties
- Disrupted supply chains
- Damaged brand reputation
But there is hope. He shared a case from EcoBrew Inc., a beverage company that implemented:
- Greywater recycling
- Rainwater harvesting
- Real-time water tracking
The outcome? A 35% drop in water use, $100,000+ in savings, and ESG recognition – showing that intelligent water use is both sustainable and strategic.
Beyond Compliance: Building Brand Resilience Through Water
One of the session’s strongest takeaways: water issues are business issues. From agri-processing to real estate, no company is immune to the risks of poor water governance, whether through pollution, scarcity, or rising costs.
But more importantly, the session challenged leaders to look beyond risk. Water management, when done right, is a strategic differentiator that builds resilience, ESG credibility, and investor confidence.
The Bigger Picture: A Cultural Shift in Corporate Mindset
Moderated by Margolda Bosu, the session was both insightful and deeply engaging. Her role went beyond managing flow, she helped humanize the technical content and foster real conversation.
Margolda ensured the audience stayed connected to the “why.” Her guidance during the Q&A allowed attendees to pose relevant, challenging questions like:
- How do we set up mobile water labs for rural testing?
- How can we treat water polluted by illegal mining?
- What certifications support good water governance?
- How do we benchmark water usage across industries?
- Where can businesses find funding or partners for water-smart infrastructure?
Both speakers responded with clarity and action. Godfred outlined frameworks and underused resources. Abdul highlighted ESG certifications and environmental partnerships.
Margolda tied it all together, linking every point to ESG impact and encouraging companies to see water not as a statistic, but as a reflection of values, responsibility, and long-term success.
Leadership Remarks: Brics Africa’s Call to Action
The event was chaired by Mr. Jacob Agyei Twumasi, CEO of Brics Africa Consulting Ltd., who emphasized that water lies at the heart of ESG strategy in Africa.
“Water reveals whether your ESG claims are real. It shows up in your operations, in your compliance, in your community relations, and in your risk profile,” he noted.
Mr. Twumasi introduced Brics Africa Consulting Ltd. as a homegrown but globally-aligned firm offering:
- ESG and Sustainability Advisory
- IT & Digital Services
- Corporate, Academic & Market Research
- Business & Accounting Services
- Training & l Development
He reaffirmed the firm’s commitment to helping African businesses integrate sustainability into their growth models, embedding the SDGs into their governance DNA.
Conclusion – A Call to Commitment
As the webinar ended, one message echoed clearly: prioritizing water is no longer optional, it’s a moral and strategic imperative. While regulations matter, true stewardship starts with internal leadership.
The speakers didn’t just share insights, they offered direction. Businesses now have a clear roadmap: conduct water audits, invest in intelligent systems, and embed ESG into daily decisions.
The moderator concluded with a powerful reminder: water is not just a resource. It is a reflection of corporate values and a test of leadership. The companies that act now will define the future of resilient business in Africa.
As Mr. Twumasi said, ESG is not just theory. It is a competitive edge – and a legacy.
Call to Action
Brics Africa Consulting Ltd. urges businesses, institutions, and policy leaders to take bold, measurable action toward responsible water management. Start with a water use assessment. Identify inefficiencies. Engage staff. Examine your impact on local ecosystems and communities.
If you’re ready to act, we’re ready to support you. From ESG assessments to strategic advisory, Brics Africa offers tailored, data-driven solutions grounded in African realities and global best practice.
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