Accra: Mr James Gunu, the Volta Regional Minister, has joined chiefs and peoples, and representatives of the Spanish Embassy, to commission a new water system within the Saviefe communities in the Ho West District, under the Ghana – Spain Debt Swap for Development Programme (DSDP). The initiative, launched at Saviefe Agorkpo, marks a major milestone in expanding access to clean and safe drinking water in rural communities in the Volta Region.
According to Ghana News Agency, Mr Gunu highlighted that the project extends beyond providing a basic amenity, as it restores dignity and strengthens the fabric of community life. He emphasized that access to clean and safe water is integral to health, dignity, culture, and community life. Mr Gunu elaborated on the symbolic importance of water in Ghanaian tradition, underscoring its role in customs and faiths as a representation of cleansing, renewal, and blessing.
The Regional Minister reaffirmed his administration’s dedication to ensuring the completion and sustainability of all government projects in the region. He announced a forthcoming comprehensive monitoring exercise, set to begin in November, by the Volta Regional Coordinating Council in collaboration with the Regional House of Chiefs and other key stakeholders. This initiative aims to track the progress of ongoing projects and ensure no project is left abandoned.
Mr Gunu expressed deep gratitude to the Government and people of Spain for their continuous support, describing the collaboration as a demonstration of international friendship and mutual progress. He also commended the Community Water and Sanitation Agency, the Ho West District Assembly, local authorities, and contractors for their teamwork that led to the successful completion of the project.
The newly commissioned system, implemented under the DSDP framework, aims to enhance access to potable water, reduce waterborne diseases, and improve the quality of life for residents in the beneficiary communities. In a discussion with ngel Lossada Torres-Quevedo, the Spanish Ambassador to Ghana, Mr Gunu explored potential collaborations to further expand potable water access in the region, noting the Spanish Embassy’s completion of two additional water projects.
Mr Gunu expressed the region’s readiness to partner with organizations and institutions aligned with the vision of inclusive and sustainable development. He urged NGOs, corporate bodies, and development partners to collaborate with the Regional Coordinating Council to expand access to clean water, emphasizing a collective effort to build a Volta region where every community has access to clean water and development is sustained by and for the people.