The Member of Parliament (MP) for Afadzato South Constituency, Frank Afriyie, has emphasised the urgent need to improve access to clean water, stating that doing so will significantly reduce the country’s disease burden.
Speaking on the floor of Parliament yesterday, he warned that Ghana was on the brink of a severe water crisis, which, if not addressed urgently, could have devastating consequences on public health and national development.
His concern, he noted, was backed by research, which revealed that 80 per cent of diseases in the country stem from poor water quality and inadequate sanitation.
Cholera, typhoid, and other waterborne diseases continue to rise as many communities struggle to access safe drinking water.
“The situation is dire, and if we do not act now, it will only worsen,” Mr Afriyie emphasised.
He pointed out that recent cholera outbreaks serve as a reminder of the dangers posed by the lack of clean water.
The MP highlighted the crisis faced by communities such as Kpeve, Goviefe, Woadze, Agate, Have, Peki, Bame, and Akrofu in the Volta Region, where residents have struggled for months due to the breakdown of the Kpeve Water Treatment Plant.
While some efforts have been made to resolve the issue, he stressed that this was just one example of a nationwide problem.
“One in five Ghanaians lacks access to adequate drinking water, and in the Northern Region, this number rises to one in three,” he revealed.
Illegal mining, according to MP was another major threat to Ghana’s water resources, with many treatment plants shutting down due to pollution.
He, therefore, called for stricter enforcement of laws against illegal mining to protect water bodies from further destruction.
He said, “We cannot continue to allow a few individuals to destroy our water sources while the rest of the nation suffers.”
To address the crisis, he urged Parliament to adopt a three-pronged approach repairing and upgrading water infrastructure, developing a sustainable water management strategy, and strengthening regulations against illegal mining.
He commended the Volta Regional Minister, James Gunu, and the MP for South Dayi, Mr Rockson-Nelson Dafeamekpor, for their efforts in restoring the Kpeve Water Treatment Plant but maintained that a broader national strategy was needed.
He further warned that inadequate water supply also affects fire-fighting efforts, increasing risks to public safety.
“We must ensure every Ghanaian has access to clean water. It is a fundamental right, not a privilege,” he added.
He called on Parliament to act swiftly, emphasising that time was running out.
Mr Afriyie urged a united effort to ensure a future where every citizen has access to safe water.
BY RAISSA SAMBOU