Residents of Tamale may soon see relief from persistent water shortages as the government signals plans to construct a new water treatment plant at Yapei to augment supply in the rapidly growing metropolis.
According to Mr. Jesse Kazapoe, Head of the White Volta Basin, the initiative forms part of a broader strategy to address structural water challenges rooted in the city’s unique geology.
Unlike many parts of Ghana, where groundwater serves as a reliable source of potable water, Tamale faces a distinct disadvantage. About 80 percent of communities within the White Volta Basin depend heavily on underground water sources. However, in Tamale, the underlying rock formations make groundwater extraction extremely difficult and costly.
“Accessing groundwater in the area often requires drilling to depths between 500 metres and one kilometre,” Mr. Kazapoe explained. “This demands heavy-duty equipment, high energy consumption, and significant financial investment. These constraints have discouraged both public and private sector participation in large-scale groundwater development, leaving the city heavily dependent on surface water systems.”
Tamale’s water supply is currently supported by the Nawuni and Dalun Water Treatment Plants. While both facilities have undergone periodic upgrades over the years, improvements have not kept pace with the city’s rapid population growth.
Speaking to A1 News after a capacity-building training for journalists across northern Ghana organized by the Water Resources Commission and Blue Deal, Mr. Kazapoe said the proposed Yapei plant would introduce a second major abstraction point, easing pressure on existing systems and significantly increasing supply capacity.
“Currently, we are looking towards Yapei to construct another water supply facility that will serve the city,” he said. “With two points of abstraction—Nawuni and Dalun, and soon Yapei—we can significantly augment supply. Once Yapei comes on stream, it will go a long way in addressing Tamale’s water challenges.”
Located along a strategic stretch of the White Volta, Yapei presents a viable and sustainable source for large-scale surface water extraction and treatment. Once operational, the facility would complement Nawuni and Dalun to stabilize supply across Tamale and surrounding communities.
“If successfully implemented, the Yapei plant will be a turning point for Tamale’s water security,” Mr. Kazapoe noted. Tamale remains one of Ghana’s fastest-growing urban centres, with rising demand for water driven by population growth, urbanization, and economic activity.
The Yapei initiative, still in the planning stages, signals a shift toward long-term, sustainable water resource management in northern Ghana.
A1 Radio | 101.1 Mhz | Samuel Adagom | Bolgatanga
