Accra, April 22, GNA – The Ghana Police Service (GPS) on Wednesday defied the rains to supply water to members of the Pokuase Community in the wake of the Coronavirus Disease.
The water distribution was part of its humanitarian service to help curb the spread of COVID-I9.
Chief Superintendent of Police Dr Baba Iddrisu, Director of Transport of GPS, told the Ghana News Agency that the exercise, which started about a week ago is to promote handwashing culture among the people, which is the cheapest way of stopping the spread of the disease.
It was also in response to the President’s promise to provide free uninterrupted water supply to Ghanaians, Chief Superintendent Iddrisu said.
He said police was providing the water to only poor communities as water is the key ingredient to handwashing.
Oyibi Adamorobe, Kwabenya, Taifa, Timber Market, Kasoa and Ofankor Old Road have so far been the beneficiary communities, the Director enumerated.
He said subject to approval other communities including Ablekuma and Adenta would soon benefit from the service.
Chief Superintendent Iddrisu said GPS would continue the exercise if only they were no logistical constraint.
He said some of the challenges encountered as lack of availability of water hydrants which was impeding them from reaching more people.
The Director of Transport explained that police was drawing the water from the National Police Training School’s hydrants and due to the long distance between the place and the communities, it was hampering efforts to serve more people.
“The pressure is low where there are few hydrants, thus, water does not flow,” he said.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Peter Okyere who supervised the exercise said the areas were identified based on “local knowledge,” adding that it has been easier than other areas based on the fact that Pokuase already had water storage facilities which made it faster in the discharge of the water.
He said having bigger tankers would facilitate a faster delivery to a large group of people.
Mr Gad Yeboah, Assemblyman for Pokuase, commended the police for the gesture and prayed it would continue to cushion the about 30,000 residents of the area.
He said the supply would support people from over eight towns within Pokuase among whom are Abasey, Teacher Kopey, Ridge East, Bread Village and Quartey’s Village.
A nine-year-old Yolanda Wumbei, who was among the residents that rushed to the water facility with her mother on seeing the water tankers, said she was excited because she would be spared going to the stream in the area to draw water.
Madam Lorette Matalibi, a resident, said she was happy and dumbfounded because she thought police only enforced the law.
GNA