The Savanna Regional Director of Communication of the National Democratic Congress (NDC), Mr Malik Basintale, has described President Nana Akufo-Addo’s sod-cutting ceremony for the Damongo water project as a big scam.

He said the project will not materialise before the end of the year.

Mr Basintale told journalists on Thursday, 30 July 2020 that President Akufo-Addo promised the Yagbonwura, during one his visits in May 2019 that the project would start that same year at a cost of $39 million. 

He said Vice-President Dr Mahamadu Bawumia, who also visited Damongo earlier, assured the people of the area that the project would start immediately at a cost of $24 million.

“The contradictions, the wrong timings and the juicy uncoordinated talks proved that they had nothing like the Damongo water project in mind or on their table. What they had was a bucket of lies, always ready to spread it on us whenever we follow up on their promise”, he said.

“We dare them to show us the contract documents of the Damongo water project agreement, the company in charge, the site plan, the location in Damongo where the project will be situated, the project duration, the amount involved and the day the people of Damongo will see Ghana water flow from their taps”. 

He said the project was a ‘scam’, ‘419’ and ‘Kalabule’ of the highest level in the 21st century.

During the sod-cutting ceremony, President Nana Akufo-Addo said: “I indicated that one of the reasons for the creation of the new Regions was to accelerate the process of development to all parts of the country. So, you can understand my excitement at the commencement of the Damongo Water Supply Project, because the pledge of extending development to all parts of Ghana is unfolding". 

The existing Damongo Water Supply System is based on water abstraction from an irrigation dam. However, since 2005, the plant has not been in operation due to siltation issues, resulting from unfavourable climatic conditions. This situation has, thus, led to inhabitants of Damongo having to resort to private hand-dug wells and boreholes fitted with hand pumps for their water needs.

“In recognition of these difficulties, as well as the result of population growth and the new status of Damongo as the capital of the Savannah Region, Government has decided to provide a befitting Water Supply System to ensure the supply of reliable potable water to meet the water demands of Damongo and its environs, for the rapid development of the Savannah Region,” he said.

The President continued, “Government has secured a credit facility of forty-nine million United States dollars (US$49,000,000.00) from the UK Export Finance and Deutsche Bank AG.”

The construction of the Water Supply System, he explained, is aimed at meeting the water demands for Damongo and its surrounding communities until 2040, in line with Government Policy, with the Water Supply System projected to serve a population of some 68,000 people, with an expected average water demand of about eight thousand, eight hundred cubic metres per day.

The Project, upon completion, will, in addition to the Damongo township, supply potable water to the following communities: Yipala, Banyasi, Ntereso, Fulfoso, Sumpini, Busunu, Kebiesu, Tailorpe, Alhassan Kura, Jonokponto, Achubunyo, Soalepe, Canteen, Frafra Settlement No.3, Boroto, and Nabori. 

President Akufo-Addo was confident that the project will help alleviate poverty, and improve the living standards of the beneficiary communities, as the Region can boast of key tourist attractions such as the Mole National Park, Larabanga Mosque and the Mystic Stone. 

“I entreat the beneficiary communities to help guarantee the sustainability and protection of this infrastructure. The government will continue to provide socio-economic infrastructure across the country, so that all Ghanaians can fulfill the dreams and aspirations of our forebears, who envisioned us to be a free, democratic, prosperous and happy Ghana,” he added.

With the Damongo Water Project being in line with Government’s agenda of providing “Water For All”, the President assured that Government will not relent in its efforts at delivering on this agenda.

Thus far, the following water projects are underway, in response to the rising demand for water in the underlisted areas Yendi Water Supply Project in the Northern Region; Greater Kumasi Metropolitan Area Water Supply Project in the Ashanti Region; Kpong Phase II in the Eastern Region; Tarkwa Water Supply Project in the Western Region; Sekondi Takoradi Water Supply Project in the Western Region; Keta Water Supply Project in the Volta Region; Techiman Water Supply Project in the Bono East Region; Sunyani Water Supply Project in the Bono Region; Wenchi Water Supply Project in the Bono Region; and Assin Fosu Water Supply Project in the Central Region

“The Damongo Water Project will ensure that improved water supply, in terms of quality, quantity and reliability, is easily accessible to the people of Damongo and surrounding communities… I urge the contractor, the renowned Biwater International Limited, to complete this Project on schedule, and help deliver potable water to the beneficiary towns and communities,” he added.