Resident Representative of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in Ghana Ambassador Baba Gana Wakil has underscored the need for potable water for the holistic development of communities and the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goal (SD) 6 in the sub-region.
He spoke at the commissioning of a $10,000 mechanised borehole project funded by ECOWAS at Potroase in the Abuakwa South Municipality of the Eastern Region.
“The project you see here is a modest contribution of the organisation called ECOWAS of which Ghana is the second biggest owner.”
He further noted: “Investing in water is investing in the people. Water is life. Without water, there is no food, no drink.
“So, we started with water. It doesn’t mean we would end there. We have taken note of the request from the teacher for the possible supply of some equipment to the community,” Ambassador Wakil reacted to the appeal of the Potroase Basic School headteacher.
Hitherto, residents of Potroase used untreated stream for household chores.
The SDG 6 (1) enjoins government to achieve universal and equitable access to safe affordable drinking water for all by 2030.
Chief of the area Nana Ansah Sasraku commended officials of ECOWAS for the intervention.
He appealed for laptops for the basic school in the community to enable them have digital skills.
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration representative at the National ECOWAS Office Neematu Ziblim Adams educated the residents on the rights and responsibilities of being a member of the ECOWAS community.
“You enjoy free movement without a visa, travel with just an identity card or passport, you don’t need a visa. It gives us an opportunity of a larger market.
“A Community of 15 member states, it brings out economies of scale where producers can manufacture and move freely.
“It also gives protection and give one identity to live in harmony and peace and work towards the prosperity of the region.”
By Yvonne Neequaye|3news.com|Ghana