The Member of Parliament for the Bongo Constituency, Lawyer Charles Bawaduah, has called on the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) to fast-track efforts to connect Bongo township to the Ghana Water Company’s supply, citing high fluoride levels that make underground water unsafe for drinking.
His appeal follows PURC’s handover of two boreholes to the Bongo District Assembly under its corporate social responsibility programme. The initiative targets communities without access to safe drinking water, with management and maintenance now under the District Assembly in collaboration with local leaders.
Speaking on the broader water challenges in the district, Mr. Bawaduah said water scarcity remains a major concern, particularly in the central parts of Bongo township.
“Water is a major problem in Bongo, especially in the central township, where the water is not potable due to the high fluoride levels. This is widely known,” he said.
Mr. Bawaduah disclosed that he and the late District Chief Executive had previously engaged PURC’s head office on the issue, where it was agreed that the Ghana Water Company should take over water supply operations in the township.
“When the late DCE was in office, we visited PURC together, and it was agreed that the best solution is for the Ghana Water Company to take over water supply in Bongo township,” he said. “Although community water systems are doing their best, they do not have the capacity to meet the demands of the growing population.”
The MP, who is also a member of the Parliamentary Select Committee on Water and Sanitation, said the issue has been raised at the committee level and urged PURC to use its regulatory mandate to accelerate the process.
“I want to plead with PURC to expedite the process so that we do not continue to experience water shortages in Bongo township. As a regulator, you have the capacity to get this done,” he said.
Mr. Bawaduah pointed to the Vea Dam and the Ghana Water Company’s treatment plant in the district, noting that existing infrastructure remains underutilized despite the availability of water.
“We have abundant water from the Vea Dam, and there is a treatment plant. In fact, much of the time it is underutilized, even though the region has more water than it needs,” he said.
He stressed that the Upper East and Upper West regions have significant water resources, yet access remains a challenge.
“It should not be the case that we have so much water and yet cannot supply it to the people who need it. We urge authorities to resolve this issue so that residents can have reliable access to safe water,” he added.
PURC’s recent handover of boreholes forms part of its broader initiative to provide water facilities to underserved communities across the country.
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