And so it was a delight to watch hundreds of residents of Tuna throng to the St Peters Basic school park, to witness the commissioning of a water system, the first of its kind in the five regions of Northern Ghana.
It is said in the local parlance that ‘a dog does not forget its morning benefactor” meaning it is good to show appreciation for a good deed.
The people sang and danced to the tune of local music to show appreciation that a day like this had come in their lives where they can access portable water right at their doorsteps by the turn of a tap.
The Small Town Water System was commissioned by the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources for the people of Tuna and its surroundings in the Sawla-Tuna-Kalba district of the Savannah region.
The water plant, which is constructed by Global Communities Ghana with support from the United States Agency for International Development, USAID, will provide sustained portable water to the doorsteps of over eight thousand residents of Tuna town and its surroundings.
The water system is made of two mechanized boreholes, a thousand litter storage tank, twelve stand pipes and three institutional standpipes and water and sanitation management team office.
Estimated at about eight thousand people, residents of Tuna now have an accessible and reliable water supply.
The system will supply portable water to more than six thousand people in the first year and more than eight thousand in subsequent years.
With two borehole water sources and a 12 meter-high hundred thousand liter of water storage tank, the water system generates thirteen thousand, eight hundred liters of water per hour.
The system flows to twelve public standpipes throughout Tuna and adjacent communities and separate water standpipes located at three basic schools.
Although Tuna Water system is connected to the National grid, a solar back-up power source has been installed to address unforeseen power fluctuations.
To ensure the Tuna water system is sustained, user fees will be collected while the Tuna Water and Sanitation Board will manage the system.
A representation from the Ministry of Sanitation and Water Resources, Tony Akuamoah Tsekpetse, said the Ministry is resolved to ensure that every household is connected to water system for improved livelihoods in the coming years.
He admonished the Water and Sanitation team to ensure that the facilities get connected to the households.
Mr. Tsekpetse commended USAID for the great foresight in providing and installing especially a solar back up to address unforeseen power fluctuations.
The WASH Specialist, USAID, Emmanuel Odotei, said access to safe drinking water and basic sanitation facilities are fundamental for good health and preconditions for economic and social development.
He indicated that his outfit is committed to providing Water, Sanitation and Hygiene facilities to its operational areas.
He urged the Water and Sanitation Team to sustain and expand the system for a wider coverage including the peripheries to realize the full benefit of it.
Mr. Odotei indicated that the system will be maintained using user fees for repairs, day to day system operations and a sanitation account to support social and behavioral activities.
The Chief of Tuna, Tunawura Alhaji Mumuni Buabreso, was highly elated and commended all stakeholders who pulled their resources to make the project a reality.
He urged landlords to construct toilets in their compounds to help improve community sanitation. The chief called on all who will be tapping into the resources to make maintenance and payment of bills prompt to ensure its life span..
There was a short drama on sanitation by school pupils to drum home the urgent need for every household to have a toilet.
A team from the District Interagency Coordinating Committee on Sanitation used the occasion to unveil the first Electoral Area ODF League Table.
The team urged various chiefs in the electoral areas to ensure every household gets a toilet as well as campaign against open defecation
About two hundred and ten communities who have obtained open defecation free status were presented with certificates.
The WASH Specialist, Emmanuel Odotei and the Regional Acquisition and Assistant Office Director, USAID, Keisha Affiom were enskinned Chief of Water and Queen mother of Development respectively.
Story filed by Juicy Kantam
