AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mines has handed over a GH¢2.5 million community water system to the Ntonsua, Bidieso, Creeki and Kwabrafoso within the Obuasi Municipality of the Ashanti Region.
The provision of potable water and the presentation of the community water system was done as part of activities to commemorate this year’s World Water Day on the theme “Accelerating Change to Solve the Water and Sanitation Crisis”.
The facility would allow the beneficiary communities immediate access to potable water thereby cutting short of walking long distance to access clean and potable water.
Also, it would bring an end to sanitation and unhygienic issues which have been exacerbated due to limited access to potable water.
Addressing a durbar of chiefs and people of Ntonsua, which is a beneficiary community, Mr Emmanuel Baidoo, Senior Manager Sustainability at AngloGold Ashanti Obuasi Mine, noted that this gesture is to help ensure that communities within their catchment area to have access to basic essential needs and also meet their 10-year Socio-Economic Development Plan of which improved Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) is a relevant component.
He mentioned that even though progress has been made in recent years to improve water access, many still live in conditions with very limited access to constant and clean drinking water, which has led to an increase in water shortage in several communities, including Obuasi and its environs.
The construction of the GH¢2.5million community water systems according to him would contribute to government’s plan to provide safe and sustainable supply of water to schools households in the communities, while enhancing their water security.
Nana Osei Mintah who represented the overlord of Kunka, Nana Kwabena Ponko II, lauded Anglogold for the provision of potable water and urged the beneficiary communities to practice proper maintenance culture to ensure that the facility serves them better and for years to come.
He expressed his appreciation to Anglogold for their wonderful support for the numerous developments the company has made and continue to make particularly within their operational territories.
He however complained of the poor nature of the people’s maintenance culture but encouraged them to be ready to pay something little to support the electricity bills since the facility would need power to work.
“I urge the leadership of the community to maintain the water systems well so that it would serve the community for a very long time and serve as a motivator for AGA to do more for other communities within the Obuasi area,” he emphasized.
AngloGold Ashanti launched its 10-year Socio-Economic Development Plan last year to contribute to building socio-economically self-sustaining communities. Improving Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) are among key investment areas which include Education, Skills Development, Community Infrastructure, Agriculture, Industrialization as well as Entrepreneurship.
