Residents of Supomu-Dunkwa in the Shama District of the Western Region can heave a sigh of relief as they can now access quality portable drinkable water through their taps. For several decades the community has been deprived of this basic amenity.
The community has had to drink from the Pra River, risking their lives of ingesting contaminants and other harmful substances that illegal miners dump into it. The Chiefs and elders of the community have complained for years to get the local assembly to provide them with some better alternative so they could live a healthy life.
A borehole water treatment system was sunk by the former MP, Gabriel Essilfie with a World Bank Facility of a little over a million Ghana Cedis but the quality of water was so saline and hard, making it difficult for them to use.
The Member of Parliament for the area, Dr. Ato Panford learning of their plight promised to improve their water systems. In August last year, a sod-cutting was done for the construction of a 4.5-kilometer water pipeline from the Daboase Water Headworks to the community. This was provided for, with a GH¢580,907.19 facility secured by the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) through the hard work of the Member of Parliament.
A 4-inches pressure pipeline has been laid from the Daboase water treatment Plant to Supomo Dunkwa, as part of Phase I, and plans underway to extend it to Asamasa No.1 in Phase II of the project.
Speaking at the commissioning of the project on Thursday 3 December 2020, Second Lady H.E Samira Bawumia stressed that “the Akufo-Addo government is a listening one”. She commended the Shama legislator for ensuring the project was successful.
“Congratulations on a wonderful achievement. A vote for the NPP is a vote for improvement and prosperity. And be reminded that your vote on Monday will guarantee the commencement of Phase 2 of this project. This is what the NPP stands for; caring for the people of this country. Caring about the development of the country.”
Dr. Panford on his part disclosed that the pipe-borne water will be routed through the existing pipelines of the Community Water and Sanitation Department for efficient management of the facility.
He assured the constituents that their vote for the New Patriotic Party (NPP) will enable his successor, Erickson Abekah to continue the good works he initiated.
“I am trusting the second phase in the hands of my colleague Erickson Abakah. The NDC can’t do this for you. Don’t vote for the NDC to derail us. We have the Highway Rest-stop project coming, the new Senior High School project, One District One Factory initiatives and many others coming up. We can’t afford to lose.”
