By: Belinda Nketia
The Member of Parliament (MP) for Afadjato South, Frank Afriyie, has urgently called for action to address Ghana’s escalating water supply challenges.
During a parliamentary session, today, Wednesday February 19, 2025, Mr. Frank Afriyie, expressed alarm over the deteriorating state of the country’s water resources, warning that Ghana is on the brink of a severe water crisis unless swift, coordinated measures are taken.
Citing a 2022 report from the Water Resources Commission, which predicted that Ghana would experience significant water stress by 2025— a situation worsened by the ongoing cholera outbreak—Afriyie stressed the urgency of the situation.
“The lack of access to clean water is not just an inconvenience; it is a public health crisis. One in five people in Ghana lack access to safe drinking water, and in the Volta Region, that figure rises to one in three,” he stated.
He highlighted that 80% of diseases in Ghana are linked to unsafe water and poor sanitation, underscoring the need for comprehensive reforms. He also praised the efforts of the Volta Regional Minister to alleviate the issue but stressed that tackling the crisis requires a national approach.
Mr. Afriyie called for strengthened regulations against illegal mining, which poses a growing threat to the country’s clean water resources. “The looming threat of illegal mining and its devastating impact on water sources compounds the crisis. We must repair and upgrade water treatment plants, expand distribution networks to underserved communities, and implement a sustainable water management strategy,” he added.
In response, the MP for Hohoe Constituency, Thomas Worlanyo Tsekpo, echoed the urgency of the situation, especially in the Volta Region.
He pointed out that many of the region’s water treatment plants were over 20 years old and had not been audited or upgraded to meet the demands of the growing population.
