Wassa East initiates plan to improve water, sanitation

The Wassa East District Assembly in the Western Region has outlined plans to improve access to water and sanitation facilities in the district.

The estimated cost of the initiative, which is at GH¢6,730,000, includes 96 mechanised boreholes, hand dug wells, small town pipe system, construction of refuse bays and other social interventions would be undertaken in selected communities in the District.

The Assembly is expected to finance these projects from the District Development Fund, District Assembly Common Fund, Internally-generated Funds, Central Government support, as well as financial support from Non-governmental Organizations.

Addressing a public forum in Daboase, on Thursday, to discuss the final draft document, Madam Estherine Mensah, the District Planning Officer, said the communities were selected based on demand-driven approach and their population.

Some of the beneficiary communities included New Subri, Sekyere-Krobo, Essaman, Edwenase, Atobiase, Daboase, Akyepim and Ateiku.

Madam Mensah said water and sanitation management teams and area mechanics would be trained in beneficiary communities to manage and repair the facilities.

She entreated assembly members, unit committee members, traditional authorities, NGOs and all well-meaning Ghanaians to monitor those facilities upon completion in order to ensure long life span and benefit both present and future generations.

According to the 2010 census, the District has a population of 92,027 out of which 88 percent are rural dwellers with 12 percent urban settlement.

It has 196 communities out of which 136 had access to potable water representing 69.4 percent while 60 of them had no access to water facilities representing 30.6 percent.

Mr Anthony Emmanuel Aggrey, the District Chief Executive for the area, said the Assembly was committed to ensure that illegal mining on the Pra River and other water bodies in the area is halted as the practice has polluted sources of drinking water for the people.

He said since 2013, a district security taskforce has been combating activities of such illegal miners and urged traditional authorities to avoid allocating land for small scale mining purposes.