Soldiers help community fight guinea worm

Kpenoe (V/R), April 17, GNA - Soldiers from the 66 Artillery Regiment, Volta Barracks at Ho, on Thursday provided labour to build a water reservoir for the chiefs and people of Kpenoe, a former guinea worm endemic area in the Ho Municipality. When completed, the reservoir, estimated at GH¢23,000 will distribute water from a borehole to more than 1,200 people and also draw residents away from using an unwholesome outlying dam. Togbe Kotoku XI, Paramount Chief of Kpenoe Traditional Area, said the only functional borehole in the community could no longer adequately serve the expanding community. He noted that many individuals were resorting to the outlying dam which was a main source of drinking for animals and feared the community could slip into guinea worm endemic again after it was declared safe from the disease 15 years ago.

The Paramount Chief commended the efforts of the soldiers and hoped the project would be completed in time. Lieutenant Colonel Emmanuel Kotia, Commanding Officer of the Regiment, said they had adopted the community, which is their immediate neighbour and would do everything to make life comfortable for the people. He described the relationship between the Regiment and the community as excellent and said there were collaborations for more projects including an afforestation project.

Lt. Col. Kotia said the afforestation project would improve the environment and prevent people from encroaching on the community's land. The soldiers also plastered the local kindergarten block with cement. The soldiers have embarked on various civic actions, including blood donation, clean ups and communal labours as part of the celebration of the Regiment's 42nd Anniversary.