PThe Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA), says it has introduced reforms in the management and supply of water to rural communities throughout the country to ensure the sustainability of investments.
The reforms, it explained, was to serve communities with clean water, avoid the continual breakdown and rehabilitation of pumps and pipes, stop or control interrupted services, monitor water quality and to improve knowledge gaps at the district and community levels.
These were key issues discussed at a regional stakeholders’ engagement on the reforms facilitated by the National Communication Committee of the CSWA, held here at Sekondi in the Western Region last Friday.
The reforms followed the high indebtedness by community managed water systems to the Electricity Company of Ghana (ECG) and the Volta River Authority (VRA) of over GH¢3 million coupled with poor accountability and non-revenue water from rural piped water systems.
An official from the CWSA Head Office, Mr Abraham Adork, explained that the ultimate objective of the policy reforms was to transform the CWSA into a utility organisation with direct responsibility for provision and management of small towns water supply systems in collaboration with the Metropolitan Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs).
He said: “The move is to ensure delivery of quality, reliable and affordable water to meet the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), create decent jobs for the unemployed and apply appropriate technology in water services to rural communities and small towns.”
Mr Adork indicated that the reforms would also increase access, improve operational efficiency, adopt state of the art technology to address water quality and mobilise revenue for maintenance and the expansion of rural water facilities.
The rest of the reforms initiatives he said would include, making the operation and management of the piped water systems professional, creating sustained operations and improving access to sanitation and hygiene services.
The Western Regional Director of the CWSA, Mr McCarthy Ofori, said the office through the initiative had revived defunct water systems in Ahanta West, improved supply at Mpohor and was doing well in the northern parts of the region.
With the reforms, he said 624 professional staff made up of engineers, technician engineers, accountants, water safety specialists, revenue officers, community relations officers had improved revenue and the quality of water supply.
The Omanhene of the Mpohor Traditional Area, Osabarima Kow Ntsie, lauded the management of CWSA for their efforts in improving water supply in the area.
FROM CLEMENT ADZEI BOYE, SEKONDI
