By: Edzorna Francis Mensah
The Minister for Sanitation and Water Resources, Cecilia Abena Dapaah has assured members of the Public Accounts Committee, PAC, that Government has put in place a policy to ensure that all the water supply systems within the regions are being managed well.
According to the Minister, Community Water and Sanitation Agency (CWSA) has taken over 177 Water Systems and 1,538 Accountants have been employed to ensure proper accountability.
In addition, the Minister noted that 415 Engineers, 117 Managers, and 492 other staff made up of plumbers, security and technicians have been employed to manage and work on the water supply systems.
Madam Cecilia Dapaah made this known when she appeared before the Public Accounts Committee to respond to infractions cited by the Auditor-General in the 2020 Report against some agencies under her Ministry on Thursday, 2nd February 2023 .
The agencies under her Ministry that appeared before the PAC were Ghana Water Company Ltd, Water Resources Commission, Water and Sanitation Board- Bono Region, Water, and Sanitation Board- Ahafo Region, Water supply system-Bono East Region and Accra Area Sanitation and Water Project.
Most of the infractions cited by the Auditor-General in the 2020 Report against the above-mentioned agencies were delayed payments, non-availability of receipts and issues of debts, water supply, and payment of bills.
The Minster used the opportunity to appeal to the Members of the Committee to help intensify the fight against illegal mining since it is destroying the rivers in the country.
The Minister for Information, Kojo Oppong Nkrumah led Directors from the New Times Corporation and Graphic Communications Group Limited to face the members of the Committee.
Some of the agencies that also appeared before the Committee included the Ghana Standards Authority, Ghana Supply Company Limited, and Ghana Free Zones Authority under the Ministry of Trade and Industry.
The rest were Public Servants Housing Loan Scheme Board, Tema Development Company Ltd, and Architectural and Engineering Services Ltd.
