Chief of Army Staff commissions water supply project at Duala Barracks, Burma Camp

The Chief of the Army Staff of the Ghana Armed Forces (GAF), Lt. Gen. Bismarck Kwasi Onwona has commissioned a new water supply system at Duala Barracks in Burma Camp to address long-standing water shortages faced by soldiers and their families.

The project, dubbed the Mercury Water Supply Station, was inaugurated on March 4, 2025, as part of his Quick Impact Projects (QIP) by the Army chief aimed at improving the welfare and living conditions of military personnel.

Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Lt. Gen. Onwona emphasized the fundamental importance of access to clean water, describing the project as a “symbol of progress” and a “testament to the Ghana Army’s commitment to the well-being of its personnel.”

For years, residents of Duala Barracks, home to over 3,000 soldiers and their families, have struggled with unreliable water supply. Due to damaged pipelines and reduced supply from the Ghana Water Company, soldiers were often forced to rely on expensive and inconsistent tanker services.

To tackle this, the Army designed a modern water distribution system based on a digital geological survey. The new system consists of three mechanized boreholes, each drilled to a depth of 150 meters, and 12 Rambo 1000 tanks capable of storing 120,000 liters of water.

The stored water is then distributed to 15 strategic locations across the barracks, providing 76 tap points for easy access.

“This project will go a long way in improving the daily lives of our troops and their families,” the Army Chief stated.

He added that the initiative would be replicated in other barracks facing similar challenges.

The 41 Defence Signal Regiment has been entrusted with managing and maintaining the facility.

Linda Ankrah an assistant Magajiya of the barracks added, “we are grateful for the water because initially, we used to have water crises here, and at least every month we purchase water for not less than 800 cedis. But now we have water and it is going to help us.”

COAS Commissions Duala Water Supply Project

The Chief of the Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Bismarck Kwasi Onwona, commissioned a state-of-the-art water tank farm at the Duala Barracks, Burma Camp.

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— Ghana Army - Official (@gharmyofficial) March 4, 2025