James Gunu, the newly appointed Volta Regional Minister, officially started his duties on Monday, February 3, at the Volta Regional Coordinating Council.
On his first day in office, the minister committed to tackling the persistent water crisis in the regional capital, Ho, which has affected the city for several months.
Mr Gunu explained that he had met with the management of the Kpeve branch of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), the region’s water suppliers, to discuss long-term solutions to the issue.
“I began the day by engaging with staff of the VRCC where I shared my vision for the region and outlined key early steps we will take to drive sustainable growth. I then proceeded to Kpeve Headworks with chiefs of Asogli State and other stakeholders to assess the state of the water treatment station and the technical issues that have resulted in the ongoing water crisis affecting parts of the region, particularly Ho Municipality.
“While there, I held productive discussions with key stakeholders, including Mr Adam Mutawakilu, the Managing Director of Ghana Water Company, on immediate and long-term measures to resolve this pressing issue,” he said after day one in office.
The regional capital has been facing a severe water shortage, with residents forced to search for water from any available source, both within and outside the city. While some locals with private boreholes rely on them for washing and bathing, most people depend on sachet water for cooking.
The minister also has instructed Assembly Members to implement short-term measures to alleviate the situation, “In the meantime, I have called on all assemblies across the region to implement interim solutions, particularly for essential institutions in the most affected areas, as we work towards a permanent solution.”
The crisis has led to growing frustration among residents, with some beginning to put pressure on local authorities to take swift action.
Samuel Akumatey, a journalist based in the region, has started lobbying support for a peaceful demonstration in Ho to push for a prompt resolution.
In the meantime, Mr Gunu has promised to ensure a daily supply of water to vulnerable residents and institutions until the situation is resolved.
The water shortage is due to damaged heavy-duty pumps at Kpeve, and despite several repair attempts, the problem remains unresolved.
