Accra, March 03, GNA – The Ghana Water Company Limited (GWCL) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the City of Aarhus in Denmark for the second phase of the Strategic Sector Corporation (SSC) project being implemented in Tema to improve water delivery.
The first phase of the project, from 2020 to 2022, witnessed the signing of a similar MoU between GWCL; The Metropolitan Assembly (TMA) and Aarhus in June 2019 to enhance safe and sustainable water supply and wastewater treatment in Tema.
The second phase is from 2023 to 2025 with a possible national implementation of a third phase from 2026 to 2028.
The overall objective of the partnership is to achieve a well-functioning and sustainable water delivery system for residents of Tema and businesses, as well as reduced environmental pollution through improved collection and treatment of wastewater.
As part of the project, a long-term plan and strengthened institutional setting, organisational structures, capacities, skills and procedures for sustainable and climate resilient urban wastewater management is envisioned.
It also envisages a long-term plan and strategy for reduction of Non-Revenue Water (NRW) and strengthened systems, capacities, skills and procedures to bring down NRW and increase the level of financial and technical sustainable drinking water services in Tema and its environs.
Earlier at a separate signing, Mr Yohane Amarh Ashitey, Mayor of Tema, declared interest for the continuity of the partnership on behalf of the Tema Metropolitan Assembly.
The city of Aarhus is focused on the sustainable development of the city regarding climate mitigation, climate adaption and water management to achieve Sustainable Development Goals on clean water in Aarhus and internationally.
Aarhus facilitates sustainable development by sharing experiences, methodologies and technologies in water management.
Mr Tom Nørring, Ambassador of Denmark to Ghana, said the dual focus of SSC project – wastewater and non-revenue water – made it unique and significant as it demanded an inter and intra institutional collaboration and knowledge sharing between Denmark and Ghana.
The Project, he reiterated, would directly contribute to achieving the United Nations SDG six, which envisioned clean water and sanitation, improving livelihood and growth in Ghana.
The Ambassador said Denmark would do its utmost to make the expected Danida Sustainable Infrastructure Finance – funded Aveyime Water Project become a reality to significantly improve access to water for residents and industries in the eastern part of Greater Accra.
Mr. Henrik Seiding, Managing Director of the City of Aarhus, who signed the MoU on behalf of Aarhus, expressed delight at the collaboration to address specific water issues in Tema, stating that it underlined the huge relevance and value of the partnership within the Strategic Sector Cooperation and the need to deepen such cooperation.
Like Aarhus, he said, Tema was a vibrant urban area with lots of activities and growth, which necessitated constant demand for more water from many types of consumers.
He said the City of Aarhus had for decades worked on issues like water loss and protection, resource efficiency and the overall development of a smart and cost-effective utility that delivered the services citizens and industries expected.
Mr Clifford Braimah, Managing Director, GWCL, said despite the challenges the GWCL was confronted with, the Company was able to deliver water to majority of the country’s population, adding that the partnership would further strengthen its efforts in a sustained manner.
GNA