Afadzato South MP urges colleagues to prioritise water supply systems

The National Democratic Congress (NDC) Member of Parliament (MP) for Afadzato South, Frank Afriyie, has urged colleague MPs to amplify their response and ensure a cohesive approach to restoring and improving water treatment infrastructure.

He said they must prioritise urgent repairs and upgrades of existing water treatment plants across the nation to meet the demands of a growing population.

“Additionally, we should expand our distribution networks to guarantee that communities have access to clean and safe drinking water,” he urged.

Looming threat

Presenting a statement on the state of Ghana’s forest and waterbodies on the floor of Parliament Wednesday, Mr Afriyie drew the House’s attention to the looming threat of illegal mining activities that posed a grave risk to water resources and the integrity of water supply systems, leading to the shutting down of several treatment plants across affected areas.

“These illicit practices not only pollute our water bodies but also threaten the health and safety of communities that depend on these vital resources,” he said.

Water crisis

The MP said Ghana was on the verge of a water crisis and that per research from the Water Resources Commission such crisis could culminate in severe water stress by 2025 if urgent and decisive actions were not taken.

That prediction, he said, was particularly alarming in light of the current cholera outbreak that had gripped the nation, reminding “us starkly of the dire consequences that arise from inadequate access to clean water”.

He cited how until last weekend, residents from Kpeve, Goviefe, Woadze, Agate, Have, Peki, Bame, Akrofu and neighbouring communities faced continual challenges in accessing clean water due to the malfunctioning Kpeve Water Treatment Plant since mid-December last year.

“This is merely a microcosm of a much larger national issue that threatens the health, safety and livelihoods of countless Ghanaians,” he said. 

United stand

Mr Afriyie told the House that the extensive damage inflicted by illegal mining must reignite the commitment of legislators to enforce regulations and safeguard natural ecosystems.

He said they must take a united stand for the health of the people by adopting a robust plan of action to develop a sustainable water management strategy.

“We must collaborate with the Ghana Water Company Limited and relevant stakeholders to create a comprehensive water resource management plan that prioritises conservation, efficient use of resources and the implementation of best practices for water extraction and treatment,” he said.

He further advocated the need for MPs to take immediate action to combat illegal mining activities that threatened water resources.

“These include strengthening enforcement mechanisms, collaborating with relevant agencies and raising public awareness of the importance of protecting our water bodies.

“Mr Speaker, as we engage with these critical issues, we must not forget the lessons of our current cholera outbreak and from our experience with dried water hydrants, which have shown us how inefficient and inadequate access to water directly inhibits firefighting efforts and endangers public safety.

“We must promote safe water, good sanitation and hygiene as fundamental rights for all Ghanaians,” he said. 

Collective responsibility

Saying that time was of the essence, Mr Afriyie reminded MPs that they had a collective responsibility to put forth solutions that ensured reliable access to clean water for every citizen.

“Let us unify our efforts to secure a better future for Ghana, a future where every individual can access safe water — a cornerstone for health, dignity and national development.”

“Together, let us courageously navigate this path to restoration, resilience and sustainability for the health of all Ghanaians,” he added.