Multinational - Support to Volta Basin Authority on the VOLTA-Hydrological Cycle Observing System (HYCOS) Project

The Volta-HYCOS Project responds to a number of priority interventions identified under the Africa Water Vision for 2025 aimed at achieving equitable and sustainable use of water for socio-economic development. The Volta-HYCOS is part of the World Hydrological Cycle Observing System (WHYCOS) coordinated by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) in Geneva with the objectives to provide free exchange of hydrological data, information, and knowledge across national boundaries. The Project is an important and well justified initiative taking into consideration the many trans-boundary water challenges facing the Volta Basin riparian countries and the need to provide appropriate hydrological information to enable effective governance and development of the shared water resources. This will have bearings on the political, economic, and public activities in the Volta Basin and is expected to facilitate enhanced regional food production, hydropower production, river navigation, water based industry, early warning of floods, prediction of effects of climate change and other activities contributing to regional socio-economic development. The benefits will stem from improved performance of VBA and national IWRM authorities as well as development actors, decision makers and investors due to enhanced water information and knowledge.