Water project for four communities in Ashanti Region
BGI- LLC, a United States based real estate firm and the Safe Water Network with support from Otumfuo Osei Tutu are implementing a water project to improve the health and livelihoods of some communities in the Ashanti Region.
The $200,000 water project would provide access to 12,000 people in Asante Akim North and South District and its surrounding communities.
Mr Daniel Rose, Chairman of BGI, announced this at a press conference in Accra.
He said “our goal is to demonstrate that the American business involvement overseas could be beneficial for those we serve and good for our employees and investors.”
He said the partnership was based on the belief that the challenge mission could not be solved alone and a meaningful impact could only be achieved by collaborating across sectors and industries.
He said production of clean water for those who lack it must be the highest priority.
Mr Rose, who is also a renowned philanthropist, said water and sanitation investment were crucial to require a separate discussion not only for economic reasons but for disease prevention and health.
He noted that half of Africa’s available pipe-borne water are now unaccounted because of leaking pipes and illegal connections by private tanker operators and this must be re-captured, as users should be made to pay their bills.
Mr Kurt Soderland, Chief Executive Officer, Safe Water Network, said the network was established to prove that locally-owned water systems could provide safe, affordable water to many in Ghana.
He said the network’s focus was on ensuring sustainability by reducing capital and operating expense, local capacity building and source water management.
“In each region we are establishing local cluster management units to support the sustainability of the systems,” he said.
Nana Adu Gyamfi, Otumfuo’s Adontenhene, spoke of Otumfuo Osei Tutu’s gratitude to the partnership and leadership provided in implementing the project in the stated Districts.
Source: GNA