Volta Regional Minister, Hon. James Gunu, has announced that Metropolitan, Municipal and District Assemblies (MMDAs) in the region are required to construct at least 10 boreholes every year as part of efforts to improve access to potable water.
He made the announcement on the airwaves of Fafaa 100.3 FM during an interaction with Mr. Ketaman Emmanuel Evortepe, where he addressed a number of development issues concerning the Volta Region.
According to Hon. Gunu, the Regional Coordinating Council, together with the various MMDAs, is putting in maximum effort to accelerate development across the region, with access to potable water being one of the key priorities.
He stressed that water is an essential need for every community and that providing residents with reliable access to potable water remains critical to improving their living conditions.
The Minister disclosed that the water crisis that previously affected Nyako in the Keta Municipality has now become a thing of the past following interventions to improve water supply in the area.
He said attention has now shifted to Klikor and its surrounding communities, which continue to experience water challenges.
Hon. Gunu explained that the annual construction of 10 boreholes by every MMDA is intended to help address water shortages in communities within their respective jurisdictions.
He assured residents that communities facing serious water challenges would be identified and prioritised to ensure that they benefit from the borehole programme.
He said the initiative would enable the assemblies to gradually close the gap in access to potable water, particularly in rural and underserved communities across the region.
The Regional Minister, however, noted that although borehole construction is ongoing, not every community has suitable geological conditions for successful borehole development.
According to him, in some locations, drilling machines hit hard rock beneath the ground, making it difficult to access sufficient water. He added that in some areas, even when water is found, the quality or quantity may not be good enough for residents to rely on.
He explained that these challenges make it necessary for the government to explore other sustainable ways of providing potable water to communities that cannot depend solely on boreholes.
Hon. Gunu stated that the government is therefore doing everything possible to extend the main water supply system to various locations across the region to complement the borehole projects and provide residents with reliable sources of quality water.
He disclosed that the first phase of the main water supply project is currently ongoing, with a second phase expected to follow.
According to him, Klikor and its surrounding communities have been captured under the second phase of the project, which is expected to provide relief to residents who have been facing persistent water challenges.
The Minister emphasised that the objective is not merely to construct boreholes but to ensure that communities have access to adequate, safe and sustainable water supplies.
He further explained that improving access to potable water would contribute to better health and living conditions while reducing the difficulties residents face in accessing water for their daily needs.
Hon. Gunu assured the people of Klikor and its surrounding communities that their water concerns would receive the necessary attention as the authorities work towards finding lasting solutions to the challenges confronting the area.
He called on community leaders and residents to continue engaging with the various assemblies and bring persistent water challenges to their attention to enable the authorities to identify priority areas for intervention.
The Minister expressed confidence that with sustained commitment from the MMDAs, government agencies and other stakeholders, the water challenges confronting communities across the Volta Region could be significantly reduced.
He reiterated his commitment to supporting development initiatives across the region, stressing that access to potable water remains an important component of efforts to improve the welfare and quality of life of residents.
By Hutor Dziwornu, Fafaa 100.3 FM, Dzodze