The Vice President, Professor Jane Naana Opoku-Agyemang, has presented 10 large water storage tanks to five districts in the Central Region to help alleviate the severe water crisis affecting many communities.
The tanks were distributed to the Gomoa Central, Gomoa West, Gomoa East, Awutu Senya West, and Agona West Assemblies, which are among the hardest hit.
For weeks, taps in several communities across the region have run dry, forcing residents to rely on unsafe water sources, often located miles away.
The crisis, caused largely by illegal mining activities (galamsey), has polluted water bodies, making treatment by Ghana Water Limited nearly impossible.
This situation poses serious health risks, with women and children being the most vulnerable.
Last year, Prof. Opoku-Agyemang funded the construction of 10 boreholes for selected districts when a similar challenge emerged. The provision of tanks continues her efforts to mitigate water scarcity in the region.
Presenting the tanks on behalf of the Vice President, the Central Regional Minister, Mr. Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, reiterated government’s commitment to addressing both the water crisis and its root cause—galamsey.
“We are expecting more because the Vice President is prepared to give us about 50 of them. In fact, she has asked the contractor to identify more sites for boreholes,” he said.
At the district level, Assemblies are also working to repair old boreholes and construct new ones. The Minister further announced special arrangements, including tanker services, to supply water regularly to Senior High Schools.
Mr. Okyere noted that President John Dramani Mahama remained committed to the fight against galamsey, adding that illegal miners were being removed from water bodies.
“When it rained recently, we noticed some improvement, and we are going to sustain that activity across the country to ensure that not only here, but other parts of Ghana are safe from those destroying our water bodies,” he assured.
The Regional Minister also raised concern about the lack of water for livestock, which in some communities had forced residents and animals to share the same source. He said plans were underway to engage cattle rearers to identify safe watering points for their animals.
“When you have a crisis, you must also think about animals, because without them, we cannot live,” he noted.
He further observed that harmful farming practices were also contributing to the destruction of water bodies and urged citizens to be more responsible.
Mr. Okyere warned those allegedly intercepting and stealing treated water from Ghana Water Limited of serious consequences.
The District Chief Executive for Gomoa East, Margaret Naana Ackom, expressed gratitude to the Vice President on behalf of the beneficiary Assemblies and pledged that the tanks would be used effectively.
“We are very grateful, but we still yearn for more. We hope our mother will send us additional support to fight this water crisis,” she said.
At the district level, she added, efforts were ongoing to manage the situation. Through the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP), machines are being deployed to assist affected communities. In Gomoa East, the Ghana National Fire Service and road contractors are also helping by providing water.
Madam Ackom urged residents to take good care of the tanks so they would last longer.
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