Kufuor Foundation assists Kodjo Ashong

A mechanised borehole aimed at supplying potable water to the residents of Kodjo Ashong in the Ga West Municipality in the Greater Accra Region has been inaugurated.

The GH¢100,000 solar-powered system will provide the people of the community, its clinic and bungalows of health personnel stationed there with 5,000 gallons of water daily.

The project, which was initiated by the John Agyekum Kufour (JAK) Foundation with funding from Ecobank, will also see the rehabilitation of the maternity ward of the community clinic.

Project inaugurated
Speaking at the ceremony at Kodjo Ashong, near Amasaman in the Greater Accra Region yesterday, former President John Agyekum Kufour said the project was an evidence of what governments and communities could do to achieve “sustainable development objectives.”

He said “providing communities safe water systems will enhance quality of life and drastically reduce incidents of water-borne diseases that regularly afflict rural communities owing to the lack of safe water sources for domestic use.”

Solar energy
Mr Kufour said the use of the solar lighting system as a sustainable energy source would help to improve the quality of life in the community and also contribute to reductions in greenhouse gas emission, which is partly responsible for the climate changes we are experiencing.
 
“The use of solar technology as a renewable energy source presents opportunities for reduction in energy demand. By this, we are able to make savings as a result of decreased electricity use and at the same time promote rural night life and safe neighbourhoods,” he said.

Emulate gesture
The former President called on other non-governmental organisations, civil society institutions and corporate bodies to work assiduously on the welfare and development of deprived communities.

The Executive Director of the Domestic Bank Unit of Ecobank, Mr George Asante-Mensah, said the bank was proud to be associated with the gesture of satisfying a major need of the Kodjo Ashong community.

Community grateful
The Municipal Chief Executive (MCE) for Ga West, Mr Ato Quayson, said the municipal assembly was doing its best to provide basic amenities like potable water for the people. Regrettably, he said only 27 per cent of the population had been covered.

“Currently, the people walk long distances to fetch water,” he said.

The MCE was grateful to the JAK Foundation and Ecobank for the support.

He said “even though President Kufour was no more the head of state, he continues to show leadership.”

On behalf of the chiefs and people of the area, Mr Quayson pledged to ensure that the projects were used and maintained to last many years to come.