Filed by: Fayilatu Issah|RadioMak
The Ghana Maritime Authority in partnership with Humanity First, a non-governmental organization, has handed over four solar-powered mechanized boreholes to provide potable water to selected communities and institutions in the Upper West Region.
The beneficiaries include T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School, Chansaa, Biihee and Boli communities, all within the Wa Municipality.
Speaking during the commissioning ceremony at T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School, the Director-General of the GMA, Naval Captain (Rtd.) Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali Esq., said the initiative followed an opportunity given to the Authority to undertake corporate social responsibility projects aimed at addressing challenges faced by communities across Ghana.
He explained that after thorough research, the Authority identified potable water as one of the key needs in the Upper West Region. He said the initiative also aligns with the government’s Reset Agenda, which identifies access to potable water as an important priority.
According to him, the Authority therefore considered it necessary to support the provision of fully mechanized boreholes in areas identified by Humanity First as being in need of potable water.
Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali said as a son of the Upper West Region, he considered the initiative an opportunity to channel part of the Authority’s corporate social responsibility efforts to his home region and support communities and institutions in need.
He disclosed that the projects were funded by the Ghana Maritime Authority and facilitated by Humanity First.
Dr. Kamal-Deen Ali expressed gratitude to Humanity First for its commitment, hard work and efforts towards making the projects possible.
He also urged students of T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School to remain focused on their education despite the challenges they may encounter, and encouraged them to cooperate with their teachers and school management while maintaining discipline for a brighter future.
Headmaster Appeals for More Support
Also speaking, the Headmaster of T.I. Ahmadiyya Senior High School, Mr. Issahaque Yahaya, expressed gratitude to the Ghana Maritime Authority and Humanity First for providing the school with the mechanized borehole.
He said the project would serve as a great relief to students and the school community, particularly by improving access to water.
However, Mr. Yahaya appealed to other organizations and the government to support the school, which he said continues to face several challenges.
He identified the lack of a sickbay as one of the major concerns, explaining that the situation makes it difficult for students to receive basic first-aid treatment when they fall ill.
He also mentioned inadequate toilet facilities as another challenge, noting that it has contributed to open defecation among some members of the school community.
MCE Urges More Development in Water Systems
For his part, the Wa Municipal Chief Executive, Alhaji Issah Nurah Danwanaa, expressed appreciation to the Director-General of the Ghana Maritime Authority for the initiative.
He said the provision of the mechanized borehole had brought significant relief to the school and described the project as an intervention that had brought life to the institution by providing students with access to water.
The MCE also appealed to other sons and daughters of the Upper West Region who have been appointed to government positions to emulate the initiative and bring development projects to the region.
Alhaji Danwanaa said the municipality still has significant water needs and that the assembly is working to address the challenge.
He disclosed that the Danish Ambassador is expected in the municipality on August 26 to commission a 5.8-million-dollar Wa Water Expansion Project, which is expected to benefit more than 6,000 households.
He added that the Wa Municipal Assembly has so far provided 24 boreholes within the municipality over the past one and a half years, and the newly commissioned projects would increase the number to 28.
According to him, the municipality will continue to pursue additional interventions to improve access to potable water.
On the need for improved school facilities, the MCE said the government is also undertaking projects aimed at providing toilet facilities in schools, lighting school campuses, establishing clinics and improving access to water.
He assured residents that more interventions from the local government would be rolled out in due course.
