The sustainable development goals enjoin Ghana to achieve universal and equitable access to safe and affordable drinking water for all by 2030.
Government is doubling efforts to achieve the goal. That notwithstanding, inhabitants of most parts of the country, especially the northern part, lack access to potable water.
Inhabitants of Garu district are more affected in the dry season. Although boreholes are dotted in the district, they barely provide adequate water to serve the growing population.
Dams, dugouts, ponds and lakes mostly serve the people water during the dry season.
The contaminated water from these sources poses health threats to the people but they have no choice.
Several researches point out that such water sources contain life-threatening parasites and high microbial content which makes the water unsafe for consumption.
A major worry for researchers is high level teeth discoloration resulting from the dangerous minerals found in those sources.
Consequent to this, the Member of Parliament for Garu, Mr. Albert Alalzuuga Akuka, has stepped in with small water systems to ease the plight of the people.
“Potable drinking water in the area is a major problem facing the people in the locality, which needs to be addressed urgently,” he added.
Thirty communities across the district are earmarked for the construction of boreholes which are at various levels of completion. Eight communities have had their boreholes completed awaiting handing over.
These communities are Kpatibuarin, Kukbulug, Kpatua-No2, Atamidaboog, Pialug-Maalnateng, Gbanterago area, Zisieri area and Tengsung.
Communities, particularly in remote areas in the district, also lack basic training and capacity to maintain wells, hand pumps and other systems which the World Vision organization has provided.
Lack of proper sanitation and hygiene frequently compounds contamination of existing water sources in the area.
Mr. Akuka who inspected the on-going projects explained his intervention is a way of accounting to the people on how the MP’s common fund is being used.
He said efforts were being made to ensure that resources meant for development projects in the area were not diverted or misappropriated.
Mr. Akuka explained that it was not right for members of parliament to wait until election period to interact with electorates and find solutions to their developmental problems.
He noted that governance was a means of impacting on the lives of the people and must therefore not be seen as a business to amass wealth to the detriment of the citizenry.
The MP expressed gratitude to the traditional rulers in the area and the constituents but urged them to cooperate with him together with other NGOs for more development in the area.
Meanwhile, he has collaborated with the district health directorate to organise a health screening for the people. Beneficiaries were screened for Hepatitis B, blood pressure levels and other illnesses.
The screening exercise was to ensure early detection of health problems amongst inhabitants across the district for early treatment.
The MP indicated that the local economy thrives on healthy people, hence the screening exercise will help improve on the health needs of the people in the district to boost productivity.
Also, he has organised two effective extra classes to help the youth improve on their education. A total of 150 students in SHS and tertiary institutions have benefited from his share of the MP’s common fund.
Additionally, 500 dual desks have been distributed to various schools in the districts that are in dire need of furniture.
Residents have applauded the MP for his kind.
By 3news.com|Ghana