Ghana has secured a €323 million financing package to improve access to drinking water and sanitation services in parts of the northern regions, in a move aimed at addressing persistent water shortages and strengthening public health infrastructure.
Finance Minister Dr Cassiel Ato Forson announced the financing arrangements following discussions with development partners on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund and World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok, Thailand.
The package comprises €225 million in concessional financing from the European Investment Bank (EIB), a €68 million grant from the European Commission and a €30 million grant through Invest International, a Dutch government initiative.
The funding is intended to support improvements to water supply systems and sanitation facilities, particularly in communities where access to reliable and safe drinking water remains a challenge.
The project will focus on areas including Tamale, Yendi and Damongo, where infrastructure improvements are expected to help expand access to water services and strengthen the capacity of existing systems to meet demand.
The initiative also includes sanitation investments, with plans for faecal sludge treatment facilities in Wa, Bolgatanga and Yendi. Such facilities are important for managing waste safely, reducing environmental pollution and limiting the risk of waterborne diseases.
Access to clean water and adequate sanitation remains a major development priority because of its implications for public health, education, economic activity and living conditions. Inadequate water infrastructure can place pressure on households, healthcare facilities, schools and businesses, particularly in communities experiencing rapid population growth.
The European Investment Bank has indicated that the wider programme aims to improve access to safely managed drinking water for approximately 1.35 million people in the Greater Tamale area and another 105,000 people in Damongo.
The financing arrangement reflects cooperation between the Ghanaian government and European development partners to address infrastructure needs and improve essential public services.
However, securing a financing package does not necessarily mean that all the funds have already been disbursed or that construction has begun. The European Investment Bank’s project information listed the programme as being under appraisal, meaning further steps may be required before implementation proceeds fully.
The timing of fund disbursement, the construction schedule and the detailed arrangements for executing the various components will be important in determining when communities begin to experience improvements.
If implemented as planned, the project could help expand water supply coverage, improve sanitation management and reduce the difficulties faced by residents who depend on limited or unreliable sources of water.
Further updates from the Finance Ministry and the development partners are expected to clarify the implementation timetable and the next steps towards delivering the planned infrastructure.
Source: Thepressradio.com
