Pakro Community in the Akwapim South District of the Eastern Region has benefited from a US $65,000 water facility, dubbed, Pakro Community Water Health Centre. The water facility has been jointly funded by Coca Cola Africa Foundation and Water Health International. The water health centre draws water from river Densu, which is 700m from the centre, and designed to serve 3,250 people /20litres/per person/day at a cost of 10pesewas/20litres.  

The Minister for Water Resources Works and Housing (MWRWH), Hon. Alban Bagbin launched the facility. He reminded the community about the 30% non-functionality of water systems in Ghana, just two years after installation. He urged the community to pay the user fee to enable the effective operation and maintenance of the facility.    

Briefing the RCN Team, Mawuena Pupulampu, General Manager of Water Health Ghana indicated that the WaterHealth facility distinguishes itself by using an Ultra –Violet (UV) technology which is proprietary to WaterHealth International as the final treatment. She added that, “The UV system which is the final treatment is introduced prior to Alum sedimentation, Media and Activated Carbon Filtration to ensure maximum disinfection of the water. The treated water from the facility conforms to WHO and Ghana Standard Board requirements for drinking water”

For sustainability purposes WaterHealth will manage and maintain the facility with the support of trained community operators for 10years, after which the community will fully take charge.

It is expected that the big commissioning, with the sector Minister, the constituency MP, board of directors of coca cola foundation, directors from waterhealth international, local chiefs/school children and local media will raise awareness of the facility and increase patronage thereby helping to reduce the incidence of waterborne diseases in the community.  – Abu Wumbei/RCNG