The Eastern Regional Minister, Rita Akosua Adjei Awatey, has undertaken a working visit to the regional office of the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) and key water supply installations serving the Koforidua Metropolis.

Welcomed by the Eastern Regional Chief Manager of GWCL, Ing. Paul Akpanya, and other senior staff, the Minister was accompanied by the Regional Coordinating Director and other officials.

Ing. Akpanya expressed appreciation for the visit and delivered a comprehensive briefing on GWCL’s operations across the region.

His presentation highlighted ongoing efforts to boost water production capacity at the Nsawam Water Treatment Plant, as well as plans to extend direct water supply to the newly constructed Somanya Government Hospital and surrounding communities via the Akorley Booster Station.

In her remarks, Adjei Awatey commended the management and staff of GWCL for their commitment to ensuring the delivery of potable water to residents of the Eastern Region.

She called for enhanced collaboration between the company and the Eastern Regional Coordinating Council to address existing challenges and improve water infrastructure.

The Minister urged GWCL to strive toward improving water accessibility, reliability, and quality, emphasizing the critical role clean water plays in public health and development.

Touching on the challenges facing the sector,  Adjei Awatey expressed concern about the negative effects of illegal mining activities (galamsey) on water resources and treatment facilities.

She reaffirmed the government’s resolve to clamp down on the practice, revealing that ten excavators have already been seized in the ongoing crackdown.

As part of her visit, the Minister inspected several vital water installations, including the Densuano Old Water Works, the Filter House, which treats raw water from the Densu River and spring sources from the Okume and Suhyen mountains, and concluded the tour at the Bukunor Water Treatment Plant.