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The residents of Akode Epicentre are expressing growing frustration over the Okere District Assembly’s inaction to address the ongoing water supply challenges affecting the community.
Despite numerous appeals for assistance, the Assembly has yet to take decisive action, leaving families and managers of a health centre struggling to access water, especially for pregnant women during labour.
The situation has become increasingly dire, as many households rely on inconsistent and unsafe water sources, prompting local leaders and community members to voice their concerns about the impact on health and daily life.
Speaking during the handing over ceremony of the Akode Epicentre Akode in the Okere District of the Eastern Region, Torgbui Ababio Rockson Kpodo, the Chief of Akode, indicated that he had taken it upon himself to follow up with the Amanokrom Waterworks regarding the water supply difficulties.
He mentioned that, at one point, he intended to request waterworks engineers from Kumasi to address the issues.
However, they informed him that they could not proceed without the initiative being taken by Amanokrom water engineers, leading to the situation being abandoned for some time.
Expressing his disbelief, the chief stated: “I don’t understand why someone would come and construct a road and decide to uproot all the pipelines belonging to the villagers.”
He urged the representative of the District Chief Executive at the programme, to convey to the higher authorities that proactive measures must be taken to address the challenges the community is facing, saying, “Let us not wait for the people to say, ‘No water, no vote.'”
In response to the situation on the sidelines of the ceremony, Mr. Samuel Afrane, the Country Director of The Hunger Project-Ghana, announced the installation of a borehole at the Akode Epicentre as a means to alleviate the water difficulties faced by the facility.
The construction of the Koforidua-Adukurom Road disrupted the water pipes in Akode, which has created considerable challenges for the residents and the epicentre, forcing them to rely on nearby streams for water.
Mr. Afrane expressed frustration that they have struggled to reconnect and restore the water supply; however, no progress has been made.
“It always makes me sad when the water system connected to the epicentre is cut off,” he said, adding, that they had approached the district assembly and met with the district chief executive regarding the situation, but nothing came of it.
Additionally, the issue had been raised with the Eastern Regional Minister and local leaders have approached the Ghana Water Company Limited for assistance, yet the water has still not been reconnected.
Mr. Afrane pointed out that managing a clinic without a reliable water source is extremely challenging, and assured that before his retirement, The Hunger Project plans to construct a borehole at the epicentre to resolve this pressing issue.
He stated that the initiative was a commitment from The Hunger Project to establish a self-reliant water service for the epicentre, emphasizing that it is not a political promise, and he would ensure its completion.
Source: GNA
