13 South Tongu communities get pipe-borne water

I can now enjoy safe, clean drinking water for the first time in my life, was the expression of Madam Mercy, a 70-year-old woman at Agave Akplale in the South Tongu District of the Volta Region when President John Dramani Mahama turned on the tap to signal the start of the flow of pipe-borne water in the community on Saturday.

Despite her feeble legs, Madam Mercy joined the other town folks to dance 'Agbadza', a traditional dance for the people of the Volta Region, in celebration of the supply of pipe-borne water to the area.

She told the Daily Graphic through an interpreter that she could not tell the level of her excitement for having the privilege of using pipe-borne water for drinking and other domestic chores instead of relying on the Amu river.

Mr Famous Gamon, 35, and Mr Ebenezer Tetteh, 30, expressed similar sentiments in an interview with the Daily Graphic.

They said they were happy that finally they could also drink water without entertaining any fear of contracting any diseases.

Twelve other communities in Agave Afedome have also benefited from the water project, which was funded by the government.

Supported by the Queen mother of Agave Afedome, Mama Dunenyo Afedu I, President Mahama turned on the tap amidst cheers by the anxious people.

The President and the queen mother took turns to taste of the water from a calabash.

In his address, the President said he was personally happy that the government had been able to supply clean drinking water to the 13 communities.

He said the supply of good drinking water to the 13 communities was an indication of the numerous development projects being executed by the government in the country.

For instance, he said, the government had achieved most of the indicators of the Millennium Development Goals MDGs, including the attainment of 90 per cent school enrolment for both boys and girls, reduction in extreme poverty from 37 per cent in the 1990s to five per cent, extension water supply to 67 per cent of the population and the connecting of 72 per cent of communities to the national grid.

"The country is making progress. It is not moving backwards," he said.

The President said most communities in Agave Afedome had been connected to the national grid, saying "I am happy that we have been able to provide water and electricity to these communities."

President Mahama said the next project for the areas was the construction of the roads, explaining that the roads would be opened up to connect the area to the Ada route.

The President said work on the Eastern Corridor Road Project, which would link the north and south of the country, was also ongoing to expand the road network in the Volta Region.

Besides, he said, roads in coastal communities in the Volta and other regions would benefit from the Eastern Multi-Modal Project.

Mama Dunenyo Afedu I, thanked the government for extending water and electricity to the community and mentioned the poor state of the roads as the pressing need of the people that needed attention.

Also present at the inauguration ceremony were the Chief of Staff, Mr Prosper Douglas Bani; the Volta Regional Minister, Nii Laryea Afotey Agbo; and the Minister of Food and Agriculture, Mr Clement Kofi Humado.


Story by by Musah Yahaya Jafaru
Graphic.com.gh/Ghana