The city of Techiman, the Bono East Regional capital, has been grappling with a severe water crisis for decades.
The Techiman Water Supply System, which was constructed in 1997, has been unable to meet the increasing water demand, leaving residents with limited access to this essential resource.
In 2019, the Government of Ghana, in collaboration with the Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL), secured a $100 million loan from the Export-Import Bank of Korea to expand the Techiman Water Supply System.
The project, which is expected to be completed by 2026, aims to increase the water supply to meet the growing demand.
However, the project has been plagued by delays and controversy.
Some journalists and social commentators have alleged that the funds meant for the project have been misused, while others have questioned the slow pace of progress.
In response to these allegations, the management of GWCL has come out to set the record straight.
According to Stanley Martey, Head of Communications at GWCL, the project has been progressing steadily, albeit slowly.
“The project has been delayed due to the necessary due diligence being undertaken by GWCL and the Government to ensure that all processes are executed effectively and efficiently,” Martey explained.
Martey also emphasized that the loan agreement was signed in December 2020, and the technical proposals of four consultancy services were evaluated in 2021.
The recommended firm, CHEIL-KECC-SAMAN JV, was selected in August 2022, and negotiations were completed in October 2022.
Despite these developments, some critics have continued to express skepticism about the project’s progress.
However, Martey maintains that the project is on track and will be completed as scheduled.
“The management of GWCL implores any media house or personality who wishes to comment or publish any issue in respect of the Techiman Project or any other project being executed by GWCL to seek information from the communications outfit of the company or may use the Right to Information Desk at the Head Office before doing so,” Martey said.
-BY Daniel Bampoe