GWL MD and Board Chair Visit Yapei Treatment Plant Site, Assure Residents of Project Implementation
Preparations are progressing steadily as Ghana Water Limited (GWL) moves to address persistent water challenges facing residents of Tamale in the Northern Region and Damongo in the Savannah Region.
According to GWL, construction of a new water treatment plant at Yapei is expected to begin next year. The project, when completed, will significantly improve water supply to communities across the Savannah Region, particularly Damongo. The Tamale Water Expansion Project is also expected to deliver an additional 13,000 cubic meters of water per day to residents of Tamale and surrounding communities.
Speaking to the media during a preliminary visit to the proposed project site in Yapei in the Central Gonja District of the Savannah region, Chief Manager for Project and Development at GWL, Mr Edward Kwabena Agyekum, said the visit by the Managing Director and Board Chairman of the company was intended to assess the turbidity levels of the White Volta and inspect the suitability of the location.
Mr Edward Kwabena Agyekum, Chief Manager for Project and Development at GWL
He noted that funding for the projects has been secured, expressing optimism that the long-standing concerns of residents over inadequate water supply will soon be addressed.
While the Tamale project is expected to take a bit longer to complete compared to the Damongo project, he assured that both will bring an end to the annual water shortages experienced in these areas.
Managing Director of Ghana Water Limited, Mr Adam Mutawakil, reaffirmed the commitment of President John Dramani Mahama’s administration to finding lasting solutions to recurring water crises in the north. He disclosed that Damongo’s daily water demand currently stands at 10,000 cubic meters.
Mr. Mutawakil added that the Tamale project, estimated at 225 million euros, is extensive and will involve the construction of transmission lines, a new treatment plant, and the expansion of existing distribution networks to reach more communities.
Mr Adam Mutawakil, GWL Managing Director
Completion of the two major projects, he said, will greatly improve water accessibility throughout the northern sector.
He further stated that GWL is currently finalizing the technical and financial components of the projects, after which full-scale work will begin.
Protection of Water Bodies
Touching on environmental concerns, the GWL Managing Director explained that protecting water bodies falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Environment, Science, Technology and Innovation, the Ministry of Lands and Natural Resources, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and not solely under GWL.
He commended traditional rulers, particularly the Dalun Chief for efforts to curb sand winning in the area, noting that such interventions have contributed to improved water turbidity levels.
The GWL MD added that turbidity typically worsens during the rainy season due to sand winning and the release of excess water from the Bagre Dam in Burkina Faso.
“Providing potable water for the people of Tamale, Yendi, and Damongo remains a top priority for President John Dramani Mahama. That is why the 2026 budget has made provisions for these projects,” Mr. Mutawakil emphasized.
