DEPRIVED COMMUNITIES TO GET POTABLE WATER (PAGE 23, DEC 19)

Deprived and endemic rural communities in the Western Region are to benefit from the Government’s rural water supply project.
Under the project, the Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) is providing technical support to the district assemblies to construct 175 boreholes in addition to the ongoing 85 initiated last year in deprived and endemic communities in the region.
In addition, the European Union (EU) and International Development Agency (IDA) of the World Bank are providing financial support in the implementation of the Small Towns Water and Sanitation Projects which would benefit 30 small towns in the region.
The beneficiary communities under the IDA project include Akontombra in the Sefwi Akontombra District, Adjuafua in the Bia District, Chirano in the Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai District, Aiyinase and Asasetre in the Ellembelle District, Beyin in the Jomoro District and Amoaya in the Juaboso District.
The rest are Bawdie in the Wassa Amenfi East District and Manso Amenfi and Asankran Breman in the Wassa Amenfi West District.
Under the EU Small Town Water and Sanitation Project, 20 towns in 10 districts are beneficiaries.
They are Abura and Dixcove in Ahanta West District, Enchi, Dadieso and Jema in Aowin Suaman District, Essam-Debiso and Yawmatwa in Bia District, Awiebo Baseke, Nkroful/Teleku Bokazo and Kikam in Ellembelle District, Nuba, Tikobo No.1 and Bonyere/Ezinlebo in Jomoro District.
Others include Adum Banso in Mpohor Wassa East District, Boako in Sefwi-Wiawso District, Wassa Akropong in Wassa Amenfi East District and Awaso in Bibiani-Anhwiaso-Bekwai District.
The Western Regional Director of the CWSA, Mr Kwesi Brown, said these developments would greatly improve water supply coverage in the region under the National Community Water and Sanitation Programme.
He said the current coverage of potable water supply in the region was estimated at 41.27 per cent, the lowest in the country, and that by next year when the ongoing projects are completed the coverage would increase to about 57 per cent.
Mr Brown acknowledged the contributions of the Government and its development partners, especially the European Union and the World Bank, for their support to the region in efforts to improve access to these essentials.
The Regional Director said effective facilitation of the provision of sustainable potable water and related sanitation services, as well as hygiene promotion to rural communities, were important to the CWSA.
He said the CWSA, with the active participation of major stakeholders, had adopted resource mobilisation, capacity building and standards setting in small towns to achieve its set targets.
The regional director said he was grateful to various bodies including World Vision International, Water Aid, Rotary Club, mining companies, COCOBOD and other non-governmental organisations (NGOs) contributing to the provision of potable water and safe sanitation for the people in the region.
The Extension Services Co-ordinator at the CWSA Head Office, Mrs Theodore Adomako-Adjei, said providing water for communities without corresponding advocacy for cleanliness would mean neglect of the health needs of the people.
She emphasised the need for all schoolchildren to have access to safe toilet facilities and encouraged communities to provide household toilets.
This is the way we can stop open defecation and ensure good health, she said.
She explained that the current training programmes for artisans, school teachers, water and sanitation development board and members of the district water and sanitation team were aimed at enhancing their capacities to promote hygiene and sanitation in their communities. More than 300 participants are benefiting from the training programme.
She advised the beneficiary communities to embrace the sanitation concept and take advantage of the ongoing hygiene and sanitation programme to improve upon their personal hygiene and environmental sanitation in their communities.