Japanese grant for some Volta communities

The GGHSP is a small-scale assistance scheme for basic needs for human security purposes from the people of Japan to Ghanaians.

The eligible recipients of the grant are basically non-profit making, non-governmental organisations (NGO) and local public authorities.

About $172,248 of the grant will cater for the construction and extension of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) pipeline system to nine communities with the formation and training of four water and sanitation development boards (WSDBs) for the benefit of 2,990 people.

The project is aimed at improving the health status of the beneficiary communities through the provision of potable water and the promotion of sound hygienic behaviour in the nine communities, namely, Amedorme, Akalove, Agbletorkoe, Gamenu, Atuprakpo, Adidokpo, Kedzi, Aveta and Hawui.

To date, people in these communities in the South Tongu District travel over three kilometres to get water from the lower end of the River Volta which is now unsafe because of many human and animal activities that occur in it.

The underground water supply, which should serve as an alternate source of water, has a high salinity and iron content, making the drilling of boreholes and wells impossible and unacceptable.

Due to the high dependency of the communities on unsafe water, there is a high rate of water-borne diseases and also a disruption in the livelihood of all persons in the community.

It is in this regard that the Government of Japan has reached out to Ghana in order to save the lives of people in these communities.

An amount of $121,679 of the grant will be used to construct CHPS compounds which consist of a clinic with a maternity unit, staff quarters, a three seater KVIP for patients, a fence wall around the CHPS block, furniture and medical equipment.

This will help achieve Millennium Development Goals 4 and 5. The lack of a health facility in the area has resulted in the district recording a large number of pregnant women being anaemic and a high rate of child mortality due to malaria over the years.

The construction of the compounds will provide accessible basic health care within a walking distance to improve maternal and child health and positively impact on the well-being of the community members through the provision of health education.

Mr Hamano said the Japanese Government was assisting the communities because Japan had once been in need and it understood how unpleasant the situation was.

“We endeavour to enrich their lives today through this means so that they can also reach out to others in the future when they are in a position to do so,” he noted.

On behalf of the recipients, Mr Adanua and Mr Oduro thanked the Japanese Government for the grant which would promote health and end the unusual struggle between humans and animals for water.

Story: Ruby Efe Ani-Adjei