Some of the officials cutting the tape to commission the project
Residents of Badukrom, a farming community in the Tarkwa-Nsuaem Municipality of the Western Region can now have access to potable water.
This follows the handing over of a new 40,000-litre capacity water project to the community by the Gold Fields Ghana Foundation (GFGF) to help alleviate water challenges in the area.
The move, which was part of the Foundation’s ongoing commitment to improve water access in its host communities, costs GH¢285,000.
The project replaces an older facility provided to the community about five years ago, which has developed significant operational problems.
Executive Secretary of the GFGF, Abdel Razak Yakubu, urged the residents to make good use of the project and report any issues or defects promptly for the contractors to rectify them.
“We have sounded a caution, we cannot keep going and coming back to do new projects when old ones are down,” he said
Mr. Yakubu announced a joint investigation with the community into the exact cause of the damage of the old project.
He, however, pledged that the old system would be rectified if feasible, and stressed that Badukrom needed multiple sources of clean water.
“We believe that the GH¢285,000 investment is a good one since water, we say, is life,” he added.
He mentioned that there are other water projects ongoing within Gold Fields’ operational areas, at Mile 10 village (Damang side), Huniso, Huni Valley, and Akoon.
Water and Sanitation Officer at the Tarkwa Nsuaem Municipal Assembly Sofo Johnson, stressed the need for the community to own and maintain the project.
“Water is not free anywhere in the world. If you are privileged to have a company to give you water for free, it behooves on you to also maintain it, “he stressed.
He called for an end to situations where some people were allowed to fetch water without paying adding “Every one’s contribution is essential for sustainable maintenance”.
The traditional leaders expressed gratitude to Gold Fields Ghana Foundation for the facility and pleaded with the residents to help ensure the project’s longevity.
From Emmanuel Opoku, Badukrom