The Accra Metropolitan Assembly (AMA) has inaugurated a 1,500-litre capacity mechanised borehole at the cost of GH¢35,000 for the people of Korle Gonno in the Ablekuma South District.

The project was situated on a natural water spring, which has been in existence for many years, hence its transformation into a borehole facility to serve the over 32,000 people in the community.

It was funded by the World Bank, as part of the Greater Accra Metropolitan Area, Sanitation and Water Project (GAMA-SWP), with the overall objective of increasing access to improved sanitation and water supply for 250,000 people.

Dr Alfred Oko Vanderpuije, the Accra Metropolitan Chief Executive, in an address noted that, the availability of potable water and good sanitary practices could eliminate diseases.

He said the core functions of the AMA are to provide and promote good sanitation for the people and assured that the project would be extended to Chorkor, Glefe, Gbegbeyesee and Manponsee.

The MCE said the community engagement process is currently ongoing, adding that, “in a few month’s time residents of these communities will boast of toilet facilities in their individual homes.

“This will also reduce the rate of indiscriminate defecating and disposal of faecal waste in open spaces, drains and on the shores of our beaches.”

Dr Vanderpuije said under the GAMA-SWP, out of a total of 22 schools in Accra; 13 have benefitted from the provision of toilet facilities with mechanised boreholes, whilst the rest are ongoing.

He enumerated some of the Assembly’s development projects as completion of the Legon liquid waste treatment plant, rehabilitation of Mudor treatment plant and sewer lines from Dansoman through Laterbiokorshie, Mataheko, Korle Gonno, Mamprobi to the Mudor treatment plant.

He said the Assembly had also introduced “Operation Don’t Cross the Red line” to keep the environment in the markets clean, adding that; “All these projects were geared towards making the city more resilient to withstand shocks and stress and also reduce refuse generation in Accra.

Nii Tackie Owuowuo III, the Korle Gonno Mantse commended the AMA Chief Executive for his commitment to providing educational infrastructure and other social amenities.

He said it was his belief that such social service, apart from improving the lives of the people, was a long term investment which benefitted a broad section of the people.

In a related development, Dr Vanderpuije has led the students of Accra School of Hygiene to clear filth at the “Tuesday Market” also in the area, with a call on them to undertake regular clean-up exercises during the National Sanitation Day.

He said with the population explosion of about five million people in Accra, the AMA needs about 800 Environmental Health Officers to undertake supervision of sanitation and hygiene issues.

“We signed a memorandum of understanding with the School of Hygiene to bring the students on board to compliment the efforts of the AMA,” he stressed.