HIPC fund to provide water for ....

guinea worm endemic communities in Upper East

Accra, July 22, GNA - The Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning has released 6.433 billion cedis from Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPC) Relief Funds for the drilling of 70 boreholes in guinea worm endemic communities in the Upper East Region.

A statement from the Ministry in Accra on Thursday said the release of the money was to enable the Ministry of Works and Housing in collaboration with the Community Water and Sanitation Agency to pay promptly selected contractors for the drilling of the boreholes and carry out various related activities.

These include community sensetization, mobilization, caretaker training and hand pump installation.

The statement said the money would also ensure that guinea worm endemic communities were supplied with potable water in a timely way to help curb the resurgence of the disease.

The statement said the provision of potable water was part of the guinea worm eradication programme approved by Cabinet. The programme also covers storm drainage, sanitation and coastal protection projects.