Since the Infrastructure for Poverty Eradication Programme (IPEP) was initiated in 2018, a total of 730 out of the 1,000 community-based mechanised water systems have been completed says the government.

A total of 80 were completed in 2021 and the rest are scheduled for completion in 2022 Finance Minister Ken Ofori-Atta said in the 2022 budget statement presented before parliament on Wednesday, 17 November 2021.

He said under the “Toilet for All” programme, which aims to reduce the incidence of open defecation, 767 out of the targeted one thousand 10-seater water closet toilets have been completed, 167 of which were completed in 2021.

The remaining according to the finance minister are expected to be completed in 2022.

“Mr Speaker, with regard to the ‘One Village One Dam’ initiative which aims to support all-year-round farming, 507 small earth dams out of the 560 targeted have been completed. Eighty of the dams were completed this year. In addition, riprapping of the upstream slopes of the completed dams are currently ongoing to increase the lifespan and safety of the dams,” Mr Ofori-Atta said.

He also stated that all the 50 rural markets targeted under the agriculture component of IPEP have been completed.

The first phase of the Mankessim market, which includes the construction of a 780-metre storm drain to protect the market and its environs from periodic flooding, he said has been completed.

The second phase, Mr Ofori-Atta said, has begun and work is progressing steadily.

Furthermore, 451 additional constituency projects which cut across all sectors such as health, education, agriculture, roads and security have been completed and are in use by the beneficiary communities.

“Mr Speaker, in keeping with its commitment to accelerate the eradication of poverty and address inequalities, the government will continue to support the delivery of projects under IPEP and see to their successful completion,” he added.