PURC Commissions Four Mechanised Boreholes to End Water Challenges in Behenase
Residents of Behenase in the Bekwai Municipality of the Ashanti Region can now heave a sigh of relief following the commissioning and handover of four mechanised boreholes by the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) under its Pro-Poor Water Project initiative.
The intervention is aimed at improving access to clean and safe drinking water in the community and forms part of PURC’s efforts to support underserved communities across the country in collaboration with Ghana Water Limited (GWL).
The newly commissioned facilities are located at Behenase Basic School, Behenase Zongo, Behenase New Site and Behenase Bungalow. Each borehole is equipped with a 10,000-litre overhead storage tank mounted on a reinforced concrete platform, a control panel for operating the submersible pump and four standpipes to ensure easy access to potable water.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, the Principal Officer in charge of Complaints at PURC, Mr. Alexander Asare, who represented the Ashanti Regional Manager, urged the Bekwai Municipal Assembly, traditional authorities and residents to ensure proper maintenance of the facilities to guarantee their long-term sustainability.
He reaffirmed PURC’s commitment to working with Ghana Water Limited to provide clean, safe and reliable water to communities, especially those with limited access to potable water.
The Municipal Chief Executive for Bekwai, Hon. Salifu Issaka, commended PURC for what he described as a life-changing intervention for the people of Behenase.
According to him, the project will improve public health and the general wellbeing of residents. He appealed to community members and traditional leaders to adopt a strong maintenance culture to protect the facilities from damage and ensure they serve generations to come.
Hon. Issaka further appealed to PURC to replicate similar projects in other deprived communities within the Bekwai Municipality.
The Adontendomhene of Denyase Akwamuhene of Behenase, Nana Obidiaba Sarfo Yiadom, expressed appreciation to PURC for addressing the community’s long-standing water challenges.
He assured the Commission that the traditional authorities, together with the Water and Sanitation Committee and the Bekwai Municipal Assembly, would ensure the facilities are properly managed and maintained for the benefit of residents.
Also speaking at the event, the Officer in Charge of the Low Income Support Department (LISD) of Ghana Water Limited in the Ashanti Region, Ms. Emmanuela Mary Osei-Sarfo, lauded PURC for its continued partnership with Ghana Water Limited in expanding access to potable water across the country.
She encouraged the Bekwai Municipal Assembly and the chiefs of Behenase to take advantage of Ghana Water Limited’s free water quality testing services whenever necessary to ensure the water remains safe for consumption.
The Pro-Poor Water Project is one of PURC’s flagship social intervention programmes designed to bridge the gap in access to potable water for low-income and underserved communities, while promoting improved public health and sustainable community development.
