By Prince Acquah, GNA
Potsin (C/R), October 02, GNA – Vice President Professor Naana Jane Opoku-Agyemang has handed over 10 major water storage tanks to five districts in the Central Region, aiming to ease the severe water shortage affecting numerous communities in the area.
The armored vehicles were handed over to the Gomoa Central, Gomoa West, Gomoa East, Awutu Senya West, and Agona West assemblies, which are regarded as the most affected by the crisis.
For several weeks, water taps in numerous communities across the Central Region have stopped working, forcing people to use unsafe water sources that are frequently far from their homes.
The condition largely caused by illegal mining operations (galamsey) has polluted water sources, making them extremely difficult for the Ghana Water Company to treat.
The circumstances present major health issues for the impacted communities, where women and children are particularly at risk.
Last year, Professor Opoku-Agyemang established 10 boreholes in specific districts within the region when a comparable issue arose, and the donation of the tanks supports her efforts to address water shortages.
Representing the Vice President, Mr Ekow Panyin Okyere Eduamoah, the Central Regional Minister conveyed the government's dedication to addressing the water issue and its underlying cause, galamsey.
"We anticipate receiving more since the Vice President is set to provide us with approximately 50 of them. Indeed, she has requested the contractor to locate additional sites where we can conduct the boreholes," he added.
At the community level, he mentioned that different assemblies were striving to repair existing boreholes and build new ones.
The Minister for the Region revealed specific measures for Senior High Schools, such as water tankers, to guarantee a consistent supply of water to these institutions.
Mr. Okyere pointed out that President John Dramani Mahama was deliberate in his campaign against galamsey, with illegal miners being driven away from water sources.
"Following the recent rainfall, we observed some progress, and we plan to continue this effort nationwide to guarantee that, not just here, but also other regions of the country, remain secure from individuals damaging water sources," he assured.
The Minister for the Region also voiced concern about the insufficient water supply for animals, a problem that led people and livestock to share the same water source in certain areas.
To verify this, he revealed intentions to involve livestock farmers in locating areas where the animals could access water.
"…when there's a crisis, you must consider animals as well, because without them, we can't survive," he stated.
In addition to galamsey, he noted that certain harmful agricultural practices also damaged water sources and urged the public to exercise greater vigilance.
The Regional Minister warned individuals accused of tapping into and stealing treated water from the Ghana Water Company about the serious repercussions.
Madam Margaret Naana Ackom, the District Chief Executive (DCE) of Gomoa East, thanked the Vice President on behalf of the affected communities and promised to utilize the tanks effectively.
"We are extremely thankful, yet we still long for additional supplies. We hope our mother will send us more of these to combat the water shortage," she stated.
At the local level, she mentioned that urgent actions were being taken to manage the situation, as they were utilizing the District Road Improvement Programme (DRIP) equipment to assist different communities lacking access to water.
For example, in her district, the Ghana National Fire Service and road builders were assisting them by supplying equipment and offering water to ease the situation, she mentioned.
Madam Ackom encouraged the communities to maintain the tanks properly so they could benefit from them for a longer duration.
GNA
Edited by Alice Tettey / Kenneth Odeng Adade
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