By: Maame Efua Kwaduah
The Immediate Past National Chairman of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Dr. Samuel Ofosu Ampofo, has stated that the current government has failed to preserve and sustain the Kyebi Water Project, a critical initiative commissioned during the administration of former President John Dramani Mahama.
He expressed concern over the deteriorating state of the project, which was inaugurated on March 26, 2014, to provide potable water to communities in the Eastern Region, including Apagya, Akyem Asafo and,l Kyebi, among other communities within the West Akim and Atiwa districts. The €7.9 million project was expected to alleviate the water challenges in these areas.
He recalled that the project had been a significant milestone in the Mahama administration’s efforts to address water scarcity and improve the lives of residents. However, a decade later, the water plant has reportedly been shut down due to the inability to process water, largely attributed to the devastating effects of illegal mining, also known as galamsey.
He further criticized President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo’s administration for its failure to maintain and protect the project. According to him, the government’s inability to tackle galamsey has rendered the water from the plant undrinkable, with residents resorting to consuming highly polluted water from nearby rivers.
Dr. Ofosu Ampofo lamented the environmental degradation in the region, reminiscing a time when water from the Birim River was clean and safe for consumption. “We used to fetch water from the Birim River, and it was crisp, clean, and hygienic. Today, even the Ghana Water Company struggles to treat the water due to its turbidity and contamination,” he said.
He urged the government to prioritize the rehabilitation of the Kyebi Water Project and implement measures to combat illegal mining, which continues to pose a significant threat to water resources and livelihoods in the region.