News

18 c’nities in Eastern, Central, Volta Regions to benefit from improved water supply

More than 18,000 people from 18 communities in the Eastern, Central and Volta Regions are to benefit from improved access to potable water and sanitation facilities under the Integrated Community Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (ICWSH) Project.

The project, which is being sponsored by Cocoa Cola Company at the cost of US$425,000, was launched here in Koforidua by Plan International Ghana on Tuesday.

The Country Director for Plan International Ghana, Solomon TesfaMariam explained that water scarcity, poor water quality as well as inadequate sanitation had negative impact on food security, livelihoods, and educational opportunities for poor families, adding that access to water underpins public health.
He said it was critical to provide access to safe drinking water for all to ensure a sustainable development, stable and prosperous country.

The Country Director said Plan International was committed to helping the country to eradicate poverty through ensuring access to safe drinking water, good sanitation and hygiene to all.
Mr TesfaMariam noted that most people living in the rural areas did not have access to safe drinking water, adding that the project was to ensure that such areas had access to water.

He was happy that Cocoa Cola Company had taken action to support  the government’s efforts by partnering with Plan International through ICWSH project to contribute to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets slated to be achieved by 2030.
“We in Plan International welcome more of such funding to reach out to most deprived communities out there that are without access to safe drinking water and improved sanitation,” he said.
He added they would continue to collaborate with Coco Cola and other partners to achieve mutually beneficial outcomes on the project by leveraging on financial and non-financial resources to provide greater opportunity to advance child rights.
Mr TefaMariam, however, called on the beneficiary communities to ensure sound water governance and called on the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) to redefine key actors involved in the operation and maintenance by stepping up financial management of the water systems provided in the communities.
For his part, the Eastern Programme Unit Manager of Plan International, Mr Kofi Adade Debrah stated that the project would enable Plan International to provide safe water which should be accessible to all and called for support for the successful implementation of the project.
The Regulatory Affairs Specialist for Voltic Ghana Limited, representing Cocoa , Mrs Francisca Bart-Addison  said her outfit believed that businesses, NGOs, civil society and the government could work together to develop sustainable solutions.
He said it was for this reason that her outfit through its Replenish Africa Initiative (RAIN) had decided to partner with Plan to provide access to clean water and improved hygiene.
“Project will include construction and rehabilitation of 24 community water points, form and train local water and sanitation management teams, promote female leadership among others,” she disclosed. 

FROM AMA TEKYIWAA AMPADU AGYEMAN, KOFORIDUA

Show More
Back to top button