Accra, Aug 22, GNA - More than 10,000 people in three communities in the Ho municipality are benefitting from a water project funded jointly by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and Rotary International.

The communities are Abutia Teti, Takla Gborgame and Nyive, a statement from the Public Affairs Section of the Embassy of the United States of America said on Monday.

The statement said the mechanized water facility was part of a US$2 million project that provided boreholes, hand pumps, pipes schemes, latrines for schools and clinics and water closets and showers for public venues.

“The project also provides training and information to encourage the maintenance and appropriate use of the facilities, and to help people to protect the health of their families and their communities, the statement said, adding more than 86,000 people across the Volta, Greater Accra, Eastern and Central regions would benefit.

Ghana’s Deputy Minister for Water Resources, Works and Housing, Dr. Mustapha Ahmed, Ms. Laurel Fain USAID/Ghana Health Officer, Chief and Mr. Kaylan Banerjee, President of Rotary International handed over the water facilities to the three communities at Abutia Teti in the Volta Region at the weekend.

“This innovative partnership between USAID, the Ghana Ministry for Water Resources, Works and Housing and Rotary International saves lives by reducing these communities’ use of unsafe open water sources,” said Madam Fain.

“Today the community and the Government of Ghana take responsibility for maintaining these facilities and for continuing to educate children and citizens in proper hygiene, creating conditions where our assistance is no longer necessary.”

USAID implements the U.S. Government’s economic and technical assistance programmes in developing countries, including Ghana, while Rotary International provides humanitarian services worldwide.