The Danish Ambassador to Ghana, H.E. Jakob Linulf, has paid a courtesy call on the Overlord of the Waala Traditional Area, Naa Fuseini Seidu Pelpuo IV, as part of a visit to the Upper West Region to advance a $5.8 million water project for Wa and surrounding communities.
The Water Access and Water Efficiency Project, being implemented by the Embassy of Denmark in partnership with UNICEF, Ghana Water Limited and other partners, is expected to improve access to clean and safe drinking water for about 105,000 people.
The project includes the expansion of 120 kilometres of pipelines and subsidised connections for 15,000 low-income households.
Mr Linulf, who is accredited to Ghana, Liberia, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo and São Tomé and Príncipe, was accompanied by officials from the Danish Embassy, UNICEF and Ghana Water Limited.
The delegation also met the Upper West Regional Minister, Hon. Charles Lwanga Puozuing, and the Wa Metropolitan Chief Executive, Hon. Alhaji Nurah Issah Danwanaa.
Mr Danwanaa described the visit as significant, citing Wa’s persistent water challenges and difficulties in accessing groundwater in several communities, which have forced some residents to depend on unsafe water sources.
He commended Denmark, the African Development Bank and other development partners for their support, while urging additional assistance for school WASH facilities, sanitation equipment, drainage infrastructure, climate-resilience projects and stalled development programmes.
He also raised concerns over pressure on local services from displaced persons from Burkina Faso and the wider Sahel region, calling for support in logistics, accommodation and data management.
On agriculture, Mr Danwanaa welcomed Denmark’s support for the Feed Ghana programme and identified shea processing as a major economic opportunity for the region. He referenced President John Dramani Mahama’s recent launch of the Shea Park Resource Hub as part of efforts to promote local processing, create jobs and reduce poverty.
Mr Linulf described his first visit to Wa as historic and reaffirmed Denmark’s commitment to working with Ghana Water Limited, local authorities and UNICEF to improve access to safe drinking water.
He said the partnership would focus on ensuring that more residents benefit from reliable and quality water services.
The Wa Naa’s Secretary, speaking on behalf of the traditional ruler, thanked the Danish government for its support and expressed hope that the partnership would be sustained.
Source: www.kumasimail.com
