According to ghana news agency:ccording to Ghana News Agency, Mr. Issifu expressed optimism about the high level of commitment of President John Dramani Mahama's administration in finding a lasting solution to the situation. He gave the assurance in an interview in Wa on the sideline of an orientation workshop for Regional Ministers, District Chief Executives, and Coordinating Directors on the Gulf of Guinea Social Cohesion (SOCO) project.

Mr. Issifu noted that there was some promise in the past regarding the Damongo water problem, including sod cutting by the former President. Unfortunately, these initiatives did not result in tangible solutions. He revealed that there is currently a $300 million facility that President Mahama is working on, which will address the Damongo water problem as well as the water systems in Tamale and Yendi.

He mentioned that engagements had already been held with the consultant of the water project and expressed hope that all challenges would be surmounted to ensure its execution. Despite being endowed with many rivers and streams, the Minister observed that the Savannah Region remains the lowest in the country in terms of water quality and availability.

According to the 2021 Population and Housing Census by the Ghana Statistical Service (GSS), only 55.1 percent of the population in the Savannah Region had access to basic drinking water compared to the national average of 87.7 percent. The census also revealed that residents of the region spent an average of 33 minutes accessing basic drinking water, the longest in the country.

Mr. Issifu emphasized that, based on the instructions given to him, President Mahama will ensure that over 70 to 80 percent of the Savannah Region will have access to potable water from reliable sources. He also noted that the Savannah Region was ranked the poorest in the country under the multi-dimensional poverty index, which he described as unfortunate.

He added that the Regional Coordinating Council and the government were focused on tackling the challenges and reversing the trend. "Ours is to make sure that we put in the needed structures, put in the needed investment, so that the next assessment we shall be better off than where we were," the Minister stressed.